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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and SARS-CoV-2-Specific Antibody Detection Among Health Care Workers and Hospital Staff of a University Hospital in Colombia
14 Pages Posted: 3 Feb 2022
More...Abstract
Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple risk factors have been described in HCWs, including lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), workplace setting, and profession. Screening of HCWs aims to reduce the rate of transmission to patients and colleagues. This study aims to determine current and previous SARS-COV-2 infection and describe risk factors associated with seropositivity among HCWs between June and October of 2020.
Methodology: We analyzed data from the day of enrollment of a prospective cohort study, to determine point prevalence and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs of a university hospital in Colombia. We collected respiratory samples to perform RT-PCR tests and blood samples to measure SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. We collected and analyzed data on nosocomial and community risk factors for infection.
Findings: 420 hospital staff members were included. The seroprevalence at baseline was 23·2%. Of which 10·7% had only IgM, 0·7% had IgG, and 11·7% had IgM and IgG antibodies. The prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1·9%. Nurse assistants, medical doctors and students, and laboratory workers were more likely to be seropositive than professional nurses (PR 2·21 95% CI [1·10-3·52]; PR 2·18, 95% CI [1·06-3·52]; PR 2·21, 95% CI [1·02-3·63], respectively).
Interpretation: Overall SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 1·9% and seroprevalence was 23·15%. Nurse assistants, medical doctors or students, or laboratory workers had a higher possibility of being SARS-CoV-2 seropositive.
Funding Information: This study received funding from Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and Universidad de los Andes to conduct research activities.
Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved in June 2020 by both ethics committees, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and Universidad de los Andes (Approval No. 1181). All participants provided written, informed consent before enrolment in the study. The study adheres to the international regulations stated in the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, Nuremberg’s Code, and Belmont inform.
Keywords: Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 Serological Testing, Health Personnel, Seroepidemiologic Studies
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