Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity.MethodsIn this retrospective cross-sectional study, 2988 (82%) of 3620 healthcare workers in a university hospital participated. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibody was investigated using serum from healthcare workers who underwent COVID-19 antibody testing. The antibody test results of the participants were evaluated based on their work campus, their profession and their workplace. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05 in all analyses.ResultsOf the participants in this study, 108 (3.6%) were antibody positive, and 2880 (96.4%) were negative. Antibody positivity rates were greater in nurses compared with other healthcare workers (p < 0.001). Regarding workplace, antibody positivity was greater in those working in intensive care compared to those working in other locations (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHealthcare workers are at the highest risk of being infected with COVID-19. Those who have a higher risk of infection among healthcare workers and those working in high-risk areas should be vaccinated early and use personal protective equipment during the pandemic.Trial Registration: Retrospective permission was obtained from both the local ethics committee and the Turkish Ministry of Health for this study (IRB No:71522473/050.01.04/370, Date: 05.20.2020).
Highlights
This study aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity
This study aimed to examine the antibody distribution of those working in a university hospital in May 2020 and the relationship of antibody frequency according to profession and workplace
In total, 2988 healthcare workers (HCWs) in our hospital were included in this study
Summary
This study aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected many people worldwide. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 has caused disease in greater than 80 million people as of December. 2020 and caused approximately two million deaths. The disease can spread from person to person in society by respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing, speech, etc.) and close contact with an infected person. The disease is transmitted by touching of the eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated hands after contact with contaminated surfaces [1]. Airborne contamination occurs during aerosol-generating applications as well as droplet-induced or contact spread.
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