The role of supporting services in driving SARS-CoV-2 transmission within healthcare settings: A multicenter seroprevalence study. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Maani, Amal; Al Wahaibi, Adil; Al-Sooti, Jabir; Al Abri, Bader; Al Shukri, Intisar; AlRisi, Elham; Al Abri, Laila; AlDaghari, Khalid; Al Subhi, Mahmood; AlMaqbali, Salima; AlBurtamani, Salim; AlAbri, Asma; Al Salami, Ahmed; Al-Beloushi, Iman; Al-Zadjali, Najla; Alqayoudhi, Abdullah; Al-Kindi, Hanan; Al Shaqsi, Khalifa; Al-Jardani, Amina; Al-Abri, Seif
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 107(2021)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- Healthcare workers -- Community -- Serosurvey -- Infection -- Oman; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in HCWs 8 months into the pandemic was 21%. HCWs were stratified by risk of exposure; seropositivity was higher in the low-risk category. The rate of previously undetected SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs was 25–58%. Healthcare SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology is greatly driven by community prevalence. Abstract: 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.