Prevalence and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and seroprevalence among clinical and non-clinical staff in a national healthcare system

Background While many studies have reported the rate and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs), there are scant data regarding the impact of employment type and job grades upon such risk. Methods We determined the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a positive nasopharyngeal...

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Published in:	PloS one Vol. 16; no. 9; p. e0257845
Main Authors:	Alishaq, Moza, Jeremijenko, Andrew, Al-Kanaani, Zeina, Nafady-Hego, Hanaa, Jboor, Diana H, Saba, Rosaline, Al-Ajmi, Jameela, Alansari, Nasser Asad, Thomas, Anil George, Fareh, Sameera Bihi, Vinoy, Suni, Nooh, Maryam, Alanzi, Nadya, Abou-Samra, Abdul-Badi, Butt, Adeel Ajwad
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	San Francisco Public Library of Science 30-09-2021 Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:	Antibodies Biology and life sciences COVID-19 Employees Employment Health aspects Health care Health care facilities Health facilities Health risks Infections Laboratories Manual workers Medical personnel Medicine and Health Sciences Outsourcing Physicians Population Professionals Regression analysis Risk analysis Risk factors Serology Severe acute respiratory syndrome Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Social Sciences Socio-economic aspects Supervision Qatar New York Doha Qatar United States > US Switzerland
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Summary:	Background While many studies have reported the rate and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs), there are scant data regarding the impact of employment type and job grades upon such risk. Methods We determined the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a positive nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) PCR among employees of a large national healthcare system. Antibody testing was performed on those who agreed to provide a blood sample. Using logistic regression analysis, we determined the risk of infection (PCR+) associated with demographic characteristics, job family and job grade. Results We identified 35,075 staff (30,849 full-time, 4,226 outsourced) between March 1-October 31, 2020. Among full-time employees, 78.0% had a NPS (11.8% positive). Among outsourced staff, 94.4% had a NPS (31.1% positive). Antibody testing was performed on 33.9% full-time employees (13.0% reactive), and on 39.1% of the outsourced staff (47.0% reactive). PCR-positivity was higher among outsourced staff (31.0% vs. 18.3% in non-clinical and 9.0% in clinical full-time employees) and those in the low-grade vs. mid-grade and high-grade job categories. Male sex (OR 1.88), non-clinical job family (OR 1.21), low-grade job category (OR 3.71) and being an outsourced staff (OR 2.09) were associated with a higher risk of infection. Conclusion HCWs are a diverse population with varying risk of infection. Clinical staff are at a lower risk likely due to increased awareness and infection prevention measures. Risk is higher for those in the lower socioeconomic strata. Infection is more likely to occur in non-healthcare setting than within the healthcare facilities.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Competing Interests: Dr. Butt has received an investigator initiated research grant (to the institution, Veterans Health Foundation of Pittsburgh) form Gilead Sciences which is unrelated to this work. All other authors declare no competing interest and have no financial disclosures relevant to this paper.
ISSN:	1932-6203 1932-6203
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0257845