The role of supporting services in driving SARS-CoV-2 transmission within healthcare settings: A multicenter seroprevalence study

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Salim AlBurtamani¹  Jabir Al-Sooti²  Laila Al Abri³  Adil Al Wahaibi³  Mahmood Al Subhi⁴  Intisar Al Shukri⁴  Elham AlRisi⁵  Khalid AlDaghari⁵  Salima AlMaqbali⁵  Amal Al-Maani⁵  Bader Al Abri⁵  Seif Al-Abri⁵  Iman Al-Beloushi⁶  Hanan Al-Kindi⁶  Amina Al-Jardani⁷  Najla Al-Zadjali⁷  Ahmed Al Salami⁷  Khalifa Al Shaqsi⁸  Asma AlAbri⁸  Abdullah Alqayoudhi⁸ 

[1] Central Public Health Laboratory, DGDSC, MoH, Muscat, Oman;Corresponding author at: Department of Infection Prevention and Control, DGDSC, MoH, P.O. Box 393, PC 100 Muscat, Oman.;Department of Infection Prevention and Control, DGDSC, MoH, Muscat, Oman;Surveillance Department, DGDSC, MoH, Muscat, Oman;Directorate-General for Diseases Surveillance and Control (DGDSC), MoH, Muscat, Oman;Nizwa Hospital, Governorate of AL-Dakhalia, Oman;Rustaq Hospital, Governorate of South Batinah, Oman;Sohar Hospital, Governorate of North Batinah, Oman;

关键词: SARS-CoV-2;    COVID-19;    Healthcare workers;    Community;    Serosurvey;    Infection;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare workers (HCWs) based on risk of exposure to COVID-19 patients. Method: This was a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence cross-sectional study in risk-stratified HCWs randomly selected from three main district hospitals in Oman. Results: 1078 HCWs were included, with an overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 21%. The seropositivity rates in low-, variable-, and high-risk groups were 29%, 18%, and 17%, respectively (p-value < 0.001). The study found higher positivity in males (crude odds ratio [COR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.3), and workers residing in high-prevalence areas (COR 2.09, 95% CI 1.42–3.07). Compared with doctors, workers from supporting services, administration staff, and nurses were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (COR 9.81, 95% CI 5.26–18.27; 2.37, 95% CI 1.23–4.58; 2.08 95% CI 1.14–3.81). The overall rate of previously undetected infection was 12%, with higher values in low-risk HCWs. High district prevalence was a driving factor for seropositivity in the low-risk group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.36, 95% CI 1.0–5.59). Conclusion: Low-risk supporting services workers can drive SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hospitals. More attention and innovation within this area will enhance the safety of health care during epidemics/pandemics.

【 授权许可】

Unknown