학술논문
Risk Factors for Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Positivity for SARS-CoV-2 among Health Care Workers in a Group of Tertiary Care Hospitals in Mumbai: A Cross-sectional Study.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*MEDICAL personnel
*REVERSE transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
*SARS-CoV-2
*TASTE disorders
*HOSPITAL care
*TERTIARY care
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Language
ISSN
0973-709X
Abstract
Introduction: Health Care Workers (HCWs) can acquire or transmit Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from and to patients respectively. There is limited data on risk factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARSCoV-2) infection among HCWs. Aim: To evaluate the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst HCWs of tertiary care hospitals in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire based crosssectional study was conducted among 801 HCWs from three tertiary care hospitals. Data regarding demography, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, immunosuppressive therapy, asthma), symptoms, contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19 and protective precautions at the work place was collected. Infection diagnosed by Respiratory Tract samples-Reverse Trancriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test was correlated with the above factors. Results: Of the participants, 50.1% were working in designated COVID-19 area; 85.1% had no co-morbidity. A total of 62 of the 801 (7.75%) HCWs had a history of positive RT-PCR for SARSCoV-2. Only asthma was associated with a significant higher in infection rate. Loss of taste/smell (30%), acute febrile illness (46.4%), acute respiratory illness (18.5%) were more common in persons with RT-PCR positivity (p<0.05). Visit to fever clinic, positive household member, and a definite history of exposure to a COVID-19 positive patient, were significantly associated with higher risk of infection. Working in designated COVID-19 hospital was not a significant risk factor (8.5% vs 5.6%). HCWs on Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis had significantly lower rate of infection. Conclusion: Rate of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among HCWs was 7.7%. Presence of symptoms, especially, loss of taste/smell, fever and respiratory symptoms are associated with high positive rates. Working in a designated COVID hospital was not a risk factor for increased rate of infection. HCQ prophylaxis is associated with reduced rate of COVID-19 among HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]