Rapid Detection Test for COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers and the Role of Personal Protective Equipment.

Mahboubeh Hajiabdolbaghi,Elaheh Kimyaee,Mohammadreza Salehi,Fereshteh Ghiasvand,Mostafa Amini,Mahnaz Hadipour,Athareh Ranjbar,Mohammadreza Tabary,Pourya Farhangi,Alireza Abdollahi,Arash Seifi,Baharnaz Mashinchi,Farnaz Araghi,Esmaeil Mohammadnejad,Armin Aryannejad,Malihe Hasannezhad,Sara Ghaderkhani,Mohsen Meidani

doi:10.34172/aim.2022.15

Abstract

In this study, we assessed the prevalence of positive rapid detection test (RDT) among healthcare workers (HCWs) and evaluated the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) and knowledge of the pandemic. In a cross-sectional study conducted between August 2020 and October 2020 in a tertiary referral center (Tehran, Iran), we enrolled 117 physicians, nurses, and other HCWs (OHCWs)-aides, helpers, and medical waste handlers-regularly working in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards. The RDT kit was utilized to reveal recent infection; data on demographics, PPE use and availability, and knowledge of the pandemic was collected through pre-defined questionnaires. Overall, 24.8% (95% CI: 16.8-32.7%) of HCWs had positive RDTs. The more PPE was available and used, the less the chance of positive RDT was (OR: 0.63 [0.44-0.91], P = 0.014 and 0.63 [0.41-0.96], P = 0.030). The same was true for the knowledge of prevention and adhering to preventive rules (OR: 0.44 [0.24-0.81], P = 0.008 and 0.47 [0.25-0.89], P = 0.020). OHCWs had the highest prevalence of positive RDT, while they had more shifts per month, less accessibility to PPE, and less knowledge of the pandemic than physicians. The findings of this study suggest that HCWs should have a thorough knowledge of the pandemic along with using PPE properly and rationally. Furthermore, adhering to preventive regulations plays a crucial role in HCWs' safety. It is also noteworthy that shifts should be arranged logically to manage exposures, with a special attention being paid to OHCWs.

Highlights

They were eligible for this study if they were regularly working at COVID-19 wards, intensive care units (ICUs), triage, and clinics during the month preceding the study, comprising physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers (HCWs) (OHCWs)— aides, helpers, and medical waste handlers
29 HCWs (24.8%, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 16.8–32.7%) had a positive rapid detection test (RDT)—27.3% among HCWs working in COVID-19 wards and ICUs (24 out of 88 HCWs), and 25.0% and 11.8% among HCWs working at clinics and the triage department, respectively
We found a significant association between having a positive test and jobs and having symptoms as well as duration of the symptoms; most HCWs with a positive RDT experienced COVID-19-related symptoms (89.7%, P = 0.009), with a longer duration than individuals with a negative RDT (13.9 ± 10.7 and 6.2 ± 5.4 days, respectively, P = 0.002)

Summary

Introduction

The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first isolated from patients with pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, China. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread throughout the world within a short period and became a pandemic.[1]. We assessed the prevalence of positive rapid detection test (RDT) among healthcare workers (HCWs) and evaluated the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) and knowledge of the pandemic. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted between August 2020 and October 2020 in a tertiary referral center (Tehran, Iran), we enrolled 117 physicians, nurses, and other HCWs (OHCWs)—aides, helpers, and medical waste handlers—regularly working in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards. OHCWs had the highest prevalence of positive RDT, while they had more shifts per month, less accessibility to PPE, and less knowledge of the pandemic than physicians.

Objectives

Methods

Results