SARS‐CoV‐2 infection rate in Antananarivo frontline health care workers, Madagascar. Issue 6 (26th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ratovoson, Rila; Raberahona, Mihaja; Razafimahatratra, Rado; Randriamanantsoa, Lova; Andriamasy, Emmanuel Harizaka; Herindrainy, Perlinot; Razanajatovo, Norosoa; Andriamandimby, Soa Fy; Rakotonaivo, Andoniaina; Randrianarisaona, Fanirisoa; Dussart, Philippe; Heraud, Jean Michel; de Randria, Mamy Jean de Dieu; Schoenhals, Matthieu; Randremanana, Rindra Vatosoa
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 16:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 994
• Page End: 1003
• Publication Date: 2022-06-26
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- health care worker -- infection -- Madagascar -- sub‐Saharan Africa; Influenza -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Periodicals; Influenza, Human -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Virus Diseases -- Periodicals; Grippe -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Infections -- Périodiques; Maladies à virus -- Périodiques; 616.203
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.13022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Health care workers (HCWs) represent a vulnerable population during epidemic periods. Our cohort study aimed to estimate the risk of infection and associated factors among HCWs during the first wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in Madagascar. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in three hospitals that oversaw the first cases of COVID‐19. Monthly ELISA‐based serological tests were conducted, and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected in the case of symptoms linked to COVID‐19 for RT–PCR analysis. Survival analyses were used to determine factors associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Results: The study lasted 7 months from May 2020. We included 122 HCWs, 61.5% of whom were women. The median age was 31.9 years (IQR: 26.4–42.3). In total, 42 (34.4%) had SARS‐CoV‐2 infections, of which 20 were asymptomatic (47.6%). The incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 9.3% (95% CI [6.5–13.2]) person‐months. Sixty‐five HCWs presented symptoms, of which 19 were positive by RT–PCR. When adjusted for exposure to deceased cases, infection was more frequent in HCWs younger than 30 years of age (RR = 4.9, 95% CI [1.4–17.2]). Conclusion: Our results indicate a high incidence of infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 among HCWs, with a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. Young HCWs are more likely to be at risk than others. Greater awareness among young people is necessary to reduce the threat of infection among HCWs.