Super-factors associated with transmission of occupational COVID-19 infection among healthcare staff in Wuhan, China

Abstract

Background Globally, there have been many cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among medical staff; however, the main factors associated with the infection are not well understood. Aim To identify the super-factors causing COVID-19 infection in medical staff in China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 st and February 30 th , 2020, in which front-line members of medical staff who took part in the care and treatment of patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Epidemiological and demographic data between infected and uninfected groups were collected and compared. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to establish socio-metric social links between influencing factors. Findings A total of 92 medical staff were enrolled. In all participant groups, the super-factor identified by the network was wearing a medical protective mask or surgical mask correctly (degree: 572; closeness: 25; betweenness centrality: 3.23). Touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working was the super-factor in the infected group. This was the biggest node in the network and had the strongest influence (degree: 370; closeness: 29; betweenness centrality: 0.37). Self-protection score was the super-factor in the uninfected group but was the isolated factor in the infected group (degree: 201; closeness: 28; betweenness centrality: 5.64). For family members, the exposure history to Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market and the contact history to wild animals were two isolated nodes. Conclusion High self-protection score was the main factor that prevented medical staff from contracting COVID-19 infection. The main factor contributing to COVID-19 infections among medical staff was touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working.

Knowledge, attitude and practice concerning healthcare-associated infections among healthcare workers in Wuhan, China: cross-sectional study

“…39 However, at the early stage of the outbreak, a global shortage of PPE occurred, and HCWs lacked practice on the proper donning and doffing of PPE. 40 Insufficient knowledge and skills related to the isolation of respiratory diseases pose a high risk of infection with HCWs. Although this study did not specifically focus on COVID-19, this pandemic demands awareness and attention to prepare HCWs with adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and practice in preventing and controlling transmitted infections and diseases.…”

A Study on Factors Associated With Spread of Covid 19 among Health Care Delivery Workers in Jabalpur District [India]

“…A study done by Wang Y, Wu W et al on "Super-factors associated with transmission of occupational COVID-19 infection among healthcare staff in Wuhan, China" found a significant difference between the infected and uninfected groups, with eight factors including infection of medical staff in the same department, history of fever of medical staff in the same department, infected patients in the department, patients with fever in the department, touching the cheek, nose, and mouth during work, wearing protective medical or surgical masks correctly, selfprotection score and attending large parties or staying in crowded places for three hours or more (P < 0.05). They concluded that not touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working and having high self-protection scores were the two super-factors that could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in medical staff [5] .…”

Implications of human activities for (re)emerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19

“…Human behavior is an essential determinant of the transmission and spread of COVID-19 because the pandemic is spread by individual movements through large droplets and contacts, and possibly by aerosols and fomites, from person to person with direct or indirect contact based on the experience with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV [ 165 – 167 ]. Self-protection may be the critical determinant for the prevention of COVID-19 [ 168 ] from one person to another because when a person protects himself or herself, he or she also protects others. Thus, understanding the collective behavior between and within individual groups would be useful for decision-making.…”