COVID-19 and healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gholami, Mandana; Fawad, Iman; Shadan, Sidra; Rowaiee, Rashed; Ghanem, HedaietAllah; Hassan Khamis, Amar; Ho, Samuel B.
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 104(2021)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 346
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV2 -- Healthcare workers -- Meta-analysis -- Occupational health -- Infectious disease transmission; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: The mean age of the healthcare workers (HCW) reported was 38.37 years (95% CI, 36.72–40.03). Males comprised of 21.4% (95% CI, 12.4–34.2) of the population. For HCW with COVID-19 the most prevalent symptoms were fever 27.5% (95% CI, 17.6–40.3) and cough 26.1% (95% CI, 18.1–36). The prevalence of hospitalization was 15.1% (95% CI, 5.6–35) and mortality rate was 1.5% (95% CI, 0.5–3.9). Risk of COVID-19 in HCW related to PPE use, workplace setting, profession, contacts, and testing. Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the challenges and risks faced by frontline healthcare workers (HCW). This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCW. Methods: Three databases were surveyed and 328 articles were identified. Of these, 225 articles did not meet inclusion criteria; therefore, 97 full-text article were reviewed. Finally, after further revision, 30 articles were included in the systematic review and 28 were used for meta-analysis. Results: Twenty-eight studies were identified involving 119, 883 patients. The mean age of the patients was 38.37 years (95% CI 36.72–40.03) and males comprised 21.4% (95% CI 12.4–34.2) of the population of HCW. The percentage of HCW who tested positive for COVID-19 was 51.7% (95% CI 34.7–68.2). The total prevalence of comorbidities in seven studies was 18.4% (95% CI 15.5–21.7). The most prevalent symptoms were fever 27.5% (95% CI 17.6–40.3) and cough 26.1% (95% CI 18.1–36). The prevalence of hospitalisation was 15.1% (95% CI 5.6–35) in 13 studies and of death was 1.5% (95% CI 0.5–3.9) in 12 studies. Comparisons of HCW with and without infection showed an increased relative risk for COVID-19 related to personal protective equipment, workplace setting, profession, exposure, contacts, and testing. Conclusion: A significant number of HCW were reported to be infected with COVID-19 during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a prevalence of hospitalisation of 15.1% and mortality of 1.5%. Further data are needed to track the continued risks in HCW as the pandemic evolves and health systems adapt.