University Healthcare Workers Research Articles

Efficacy of Homologous and Heterologous Vaccine Applications on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: Cohort of Manisa Celal Bayar University Healthcare Workers

This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of homologous (only CoronaVac or only Pfizer-BioNTech) and heterologous (CoronaVac and Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines during the period when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant was dominant in Türkiye. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-2019) infection was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and data on vaccination status against COVID-19 were evaluated during the period of 15 January 2022-1 May 2022 when the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was dominant among 1854 employees followed in the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Cohort of Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBU) Hospital Health Workers. Two separate reference groups were used in the evaluation of vaccine efficacy: those who were never vaccinated and those who received only two doses of CoronaVac. The efficacy of homologous and heterologous vaccine models was evaluated with relative risks and attributable risk percentages. MS Excel, SPSS 23.0 and STATA 14.1 package programs were used for statistical analysis. The mean age of the participants was 36.6 ± 10.0. During the period from January 15th to May 1st 2022, 372 hospital workers were infected with COVID-19. Taking the never vaccinated as the reference group, the most effective model was found to be only the three or more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccination model (85.8%, 95% CI= 40.7-96.6). Models consisting of a single dose of CoronaVac (6.5%, 95% CI= -56.3-44.2) or a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (17.7%, 95% CI= -30.2-48.0) booster dose administered after two doses of primary CoronaVac vaccination was not found to be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. When only two doses of primary CoronaVac vaccination model was taken as the reference group, the model consisting of two doses CoronaVac followed by two Pfizer-BioNTech booster doses was effective as 38.4% (95% CI= 15.4-55.3), whereas three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech booster model was effective as 56.4% (95% CI= 33.9-71.3). To conclude, none of the models other than the homologous or heterologous vaccine models containing at least three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were effective compared to those unvaccinated. Compared with those who received only two doses of primary Coronavac, models with at least three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech reminder doses were more effective against the Omicron variant than other models.

Knowledge Attitude and Practice of standard Precautions among Selected Health care Workers in University of Port Hacourt Teaching Hospital Rivers State

This research study centered on determining the knowledge, attitude, and practice of standard precautions among selected healthcare workers in the University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The specific objectives are to examine the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, assess the level of awareness of standard precautions among healthcare workers, ascertain the attitude of healthcare workers in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State towards standard precautions, and determine the level of practice of standard precaution. Related literature reviewed. A descriptive survey design was employed in this study.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of standard Precautions among Selected Health care Workers in University of Port Hacourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of standard Precautions among Selected Health care Workers in University of Port Hacourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State

Knowledge, Attitude And Uptake Of Covid-19 Vaccine Among Health Care Workers Of University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with Nigeria and Borno in particular being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by the healthcare workers as significant individual in the community. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, anduptake of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers in University of Maiduguri, teaching Hospital. Data was collected from 260 healthcare workers who were sampled using stratified sampling technique with a self-developed questionnaire. The collected data was analysed using SPSS Version 20.0 and presented in tables and charts. The result revealed a good knowledge of COVID-19 Vaccine among respondents (58.8%) with a positive attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccination (51.9%). However, uptake was low (47.69%) which was greatly affected by fear of side effects, fear of unknown and shortage of the vaccine. In conclusion, similar study can be conducted with a large sample to generalize the findings; and the same study can be conducted in different setting.

Perception of COVID-19 Vaccine among Lecturers and Healthcare Workers in University of Port Harcourt

Background: The University of Port Harcourt is the first Federal tertiary institution in Rivers State. Rivers State is in the South-South region and a major economic city known for crude oil exploration in the country has had its share of the pandemic, in Rivers State there are currently 9,365 confirmed cases, number of cases on admission 1193, number discharged 8,063, and the number of deaths 109 as at August 22, 2021. The cases are still rising especially with the new string and the third wave. The University of Port Harcourt will not be spared in the distribution of the cases as such, perception of vaccine is important in convincing people to take the vaccine which will prevention new infection and keep the prevalence value low. Hence, this study was done to survey the perception of covid-19 vaccine uptake amongst lecturers and healthcare workers in the University of Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional carried out in the entire three senatorial districts of Rivers State. The study population was the healthcare workers in some selected hospitals in Rivers State, University staff both teaching and non-teaching staff and some selected establishment in Rivers State. The sample size used for the study was five hundred, sampling technique used was simple random sampling. The data collection tool used for the study was a self-structured closed-ended questionnaire. Results and Discussions: The results of the study showed that other civil servants who have taken vaccine before had the rate 20.0%, UNIPORT staff members 32.4%, and healthcare workers 44.1%; those that know about the availability of vaccine: Other civil servants 20.0%, UNIPORT staff members 32.8%, healthcare workers 42.0%; an analysis of participants who were willing to pay for the vaccine showed thus: 2.0% civil servants, 5.0% UNIPORT staff members, 5.0% healthcare workers. Conclusions: The results of the study showed that 2/3rd of the participants have heard about ...........

Mental Health Status of University Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Post-Movement Lockdown Assessment.

This study investigated the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress and determined the association between various factors, social support, and depression, anxiety, and stress among university healthcare workers in Malaysia after the government lifted the movement control order (MCO) put in place to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This online, cross-sectional survey recruited 399 participants from two university hospitals, and they were administered a self-reported questionnaire on demographic, personal, and clinical characteristics, as well as COVID-19-related stressors and coping. In addition, they completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure perceived social support, as well as the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. We found that the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 21.8%, 31.6%, and 29.1%, respectively. Participants with moderate to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress made up 13.3%, 25.8%, and 8.1% of the sample, respectively. Being single or divorced, fear of frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients, agreeing that the area of living had a high prevalence of COVID-19 cases, uncertainty regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in the area of living, and a history of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses were associated with higher odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conversely, having more than three children and greater perceived friend support were associated with lower odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress remained elevated even after the MCO was lifted.

Specific risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission among health care workers in a university hospital

AimTo investigate the specific risk factors for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmission among health care workers (HCWs) in a tertiary care university hospital.MethodsUpper respiratory samples of HCWs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A case-control study was conducted to explore the possible risk factors that lead to SARS-CoV-2 transmission to HCWs.ResultsOf 703 HCWs screened between March 20 and May 20, 2020, 50 (7.1%) were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2. The positivity rates for SARS-CoV-2 among physicians, nurses, cleaning personnel, and the other occupations were 6.3%, 8.0%, 9.1%, and 2.6%, respectively. The infection rate was 8.3% among HCWs who worked in COVID-19 units and 3.4% among those who did not work in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) units (RR = 2.449, confidence interval = 1.062-5.649, P= .027). The presence of a SARS-CoV-2 positive person in the household (P = .016), inappropriate use of personnel protective equipment while caring for patients with COVID-19 infection (P = .003), staying in the same personnel break room as an HCW without a medical mask for more than 15 minutes (P = .000), consuming food within 1 m of an HCW (P = .003), and failure to keep a safe social distance from an HCW (P = .003) were statistically significant risk factors for infection.ConclusionHCWs have a high risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission while providing care to COVID-19 patients. Transmission may also occur in nonmedical areas of the hospital while speaking or eating. Periodic screening of HCWs for SARS-CoV-2 may enable early detection and isolation of infected HCWs.

Prevalence of psychological workplace violence among employees of a public tertiary health facility in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Psychological violence is the most common form of workplace violence (WPV) that can affect job performance and health of the workers. This study sought to determine the prevalence of psychological WPV among employees working in a tertiary health institution in a South-eastern state of Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study done in 2018 among healthcare workers at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu State using a pretested self-administered questionnaire adapted from Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study Questionnaire. Proportionate sampling method was used to select 412 respondents. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using Chi-square test of significance and P value set at 0.05. Prevalence of psychological violence among the participants was 49.7%. Verbal abuse was the most form of psychological violence experienced 168 (40.8%) followed by bullying 29 (7.0%) while sexual abuse was reported by 8 (1.9%). Majority 114 (55.6%) of the perpetrators of the psychological violence were patient's relative, whereas 48 (23.4%) were staff members. In response to the violence, 58 (28.6%) of the healthcare workers took no action, while only 2 (1%) completed incident/accident form. Bullying was statistically significantly higher in healthcare workers who have spent less than 10 years (χ2 = 3.978 P = 0.046). There was a significant association between verbal abuse and frequent interaction with patients (χ2 = 4.757, P = 0.029). This study has shown that the prevalence of psychological WPV was high among healthcare workers in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. Therefore, there is need for the hospital management to develop policy interventions specific to psychological WPV.

Nasal Carriage of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Healthcare Workers in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Nasal Carriage of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Healthcare Workers in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

The Most Common 5 Pediatric Oral Lesions in Middle Nile Delta, Egypt

Background: The prevalence studies on common pediatric oral lesions (POLs) are still rare compared with those on dental caries and periodontal diseases. POLs vary among different geographic regions, age, racial and lifestyle of each population. The purpose of this study was to determine the most common 5 POLs referred to 5 different dental and medical branches in Middle Nile Delta, Egypt. Materials and methods: A qualitative study design was used depending on expert opinions on oral lesions in children (aged 0-14 years). A total of 1164 dental and medical staff members, dentists and physicians at the hospitals of Universities and Ministry of Health, and Specialized Medical Centers & hospitals in the Middle Nile Delta region were included. The target population of the study was experts in 5 branches: Pedodontics, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatrics, and Dermatology and Venereology. Data were collected using a checklist including the common diseases within the scope of the study and each expert was asked to give percentages for children seen with each disease entity in his/her branch. Data analysis: Data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19. For each disease, the number and percentage were calculated and differences between observation recorded by health care workers in University and Ministry of Health were tested by chi-square test. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The most common 5 lesions in Middle Nile Delta region were herpes infection (70.1%), candidiasis (69.2%), aphthous ulcer (67.3%), geographic tongue (56.1%), and acute dental abscess (49.7%). According to each branch; in Pedodontics; acute dental abscess (95.5%), pulp polyp (94.5%), parulis (88.6%), herpes infection (82.7%), and acute pericoronitis (82.3%) were recorded. In Oral Medicine and Periodontology; herpes infection (95.5%) was on the top, followed by physiologic pigmentation (83.5%), candidiasis (76.8%), aphthous ulcer (75.0%), and geographic tongue (70.5%), while in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; acute dental abscess (68.1%), acute pericoronitis (59.2%), odontoma (55.0%), eruption cyst (49.2%), and hemangioma (46.7%) were recorded. In the Pediatric branch; the top lesion was candidiasis (96.2%), followed by the geographic tongue (79.2%), herpes infection (74.2%), aphthous ulcer (68.7%), and scarlet fever (35.0%). In Dermatology and Venereology; candidiasis (87.0%), herpes infection (74.5%), geographic tongue (72.1%), physiologic pigmentation (70.0%), and chickenpox (66.7%) were the top 5 lesions. Conclusion: In Middle Nile Delta, Egypt; the most common 5 pediatric oral lesions were herpes infection, followed by candidiasis, aphthous ulcer, geographic tongue, and acute dental abscess. The most common 5 lesions in each department; the results of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Dermatology and Venereology, and Pediatrics were nearly similar but differ in the ranking, however, the Pedodontics and Oral &Maxillofacial Surgery reported different lesions from the others but similar to each in 2 lesions.

Uptake of hepatitis B vaccination and its determinants among health care workers in a tertiary health facility in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria

BackgroundHepatitis B vaccination is the most effective method of prevention for hepatitis B virus infection. It is a major public health problem in Nigeria, and health workers are at increased risk. This study determined the uptake of hepatitis B vaccination and assessed its determinants among health care workers (HCWs).MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August, 2016 using self-administered structured questionnaires among 3132 HCWs in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, South-East, Nigeria. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that influenced uptake of vaccination. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the health facility.ResultsThe uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was 14.2% (n = 445). The number of doses received were: 3 doses (218/3132, 48.9%), 2 doses (71/3132, 16.0%), and one dose (156/3132, 35.1%). The reasons for non-uptake of vaccination included: cost of vaccine 48 (10.8%), ‘did not believe they could be infected’ 28 (6.6%), long vaccination schedule, and lack of time 150 (35.1%). The Odds for uptake of hepatitis B vaccination were 22% lower among nurses compared to doctors (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.54–0.98, P = 0.037). It increased with increasing age (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.08–1.59, P < 0.001), increasing duration of work in the hospital (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09–1.32, P = 0.032), and was about twice higher among those that had tertiary education than others that had less education (AOR = 1.96, 95 CI = 0.76–5.07, P = 0.164).ConclusionsThe uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was low among HCWs in Enugu, Nigeria. Age, staff category, and duration of work in the hospital, were independently associated with hepatitis B vaccination. Provision of adequate hepatitis B surface antigen screening facilities and vaccination sites where the cost of vaccination is subsidized for all HCWs is recommended.

Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Visceral Adiposity Index among Healthcare Workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Visceral Adiposity Index among Healthcare Workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among health-care workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Overweight and obesity seem to be responsible for the occurrence of noncommunicable diseases among the health-care workers. This study was conducted among the health-care workers in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, South-South Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and assess their lipid profile. Subjects and Methods: Three hundred and twenty-five hospital workers ranging from doctors, nurses, and other health-care workers were recruited for this study. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. One hundred and sixty (49%) were male while 165 (51%) were female with average age of 40.9 ± 8.8 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 ± 5.9 kg/m2. BMI and blood pressure measurements were taken using standard techniques. BMI was classified using the National Institutes of Health criteria, 2000. Results: Based on BMI, the prevalence of overweight and generalized obesity among health-care workers in the UBTH, Benin City, were 31.7% and 25.5%, respectively. Overweight and obesity are more common among female health-care workers than their male counterparts. Using the waist circumference, approximately 60% of the health-care workers had central obesity, while 57.2% are either overweight or obese. More than half of the overweight and obese patients have elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Conclusion: The high prevalence of overweight and obesity seen among health-care workers calls for the introduction of therapeutic lifestyle modification in this group of workers. Even though there was no significant difference in the lipid levels across the BMI categories, the means of total cholesterol were found to be elevated among health-care workers.

Antibiogram of Bacterial Isolates from the Anterior Nares and Hands of Health Care Workers in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria

Hands and anterior nares of Health Care Workers may serve as sources for transmission of pathogens causing nosocomial infection. The importance of hands in the transmission of nosocomial infection is known worldwide. However, it is difficult to induce hand washing behavior in health-care workers. This work is designed to ascertain the frequency of bacterial colonization and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates from the anterior nares and hands of healthcare workers in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). Sterile cotton wool swabs, which were pre-moistened in sterile normal saline, were used to swab the anterior nares, and another used to swab the interdigital spaces of both hands of the participants. The samples were cultured on Mannitol salt agar, Blood agar and MacConkey agar. The plates were incubated at 35°C for 24-48 hrs. The bacterial isolates were identified and antibiotic susceptibility testing carried out on them using CLSI standard. Out of the 60 samples analysed (30 nasal and hand swabs), 48 (80%) yielded bacterial growth and 12 (20%) showed no bacterial growth. Of the 48 isolates, 46 (95.8%) were identified as Staphylococcus spp and 2 (4.2%) were identified as Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis). Out of the 46 Staphylococcal isolates, 30 (65.2%) were coagulase positive and 16 (34.8%) were coagulase negative. Out of the 30 coagulase positive Staphylococcus spp, 12 (40%) were found to be Methicillin resistant, and one of the Gram negative bacteria isolated (Proteus mirabilis) was extended spectrum beta lactamase producing. Also, of the 48 Staphylococcal isolates, 5 (10.4%) were inducible Clindamycin resistant. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be sensitive to Clindamycin (80%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (77%), Amoxicillin clavulanic acid (73.3%), Oxacillin (60%), Erythromycin (43%), Ceftriaxone (40%) and Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole (23.3%). On the other hand, Staphylococcus epidermidis was found to be sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (81%), Clindamycin (70%), Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid (68.8%), Erythromycin (56.2%), Ceftriaxone (19%) and Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole (2.5%). E. coli was 100% sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin, Ceftazidime and Cefotaxime, and Proteus mirabilis showed 100% sensitivity to Ceftriaxone, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid, Gentamycin and Cefotaxime. Since hands and anterior nares of health care worker attending to patients could be a source of transmission of nosocomial infection with its attendant consequences in patients care, it will be helpful to screen them regularly as a measure towards the prevention and control of hospital acquired infection.

Needlestick injuries among health care workers of University of Alexandria hospitals

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the prevalence and circumstances of needlestick injury (NSI) among heath care workers at University of Alexandria teaching hospitals and to assess the effectiveness of the existing control measures and standard precautions. Data were obtained by anonymous, self-reporting questionnaire from 645 nurses, physicians and ancillary staff in 2007. Around two-thirds of workers (67.9%) had suffered at least 1 NSI in the last 12 months. High-risk patients (with history of HIV, hepatitis B virus or, hepatitis C virus infection or injecting drug use) were involved in 8.2% of injuries. On evaluating the effectiveness of existing control measures, significant protective factors against NSI were: using devices with safety features (OR 0.41), adherence to infection control guidelines (OR 0.42), training in injection safety (OR 0.14), comfortable room temperature (OR 0.32) and availability of a written protocol for prompt reporting (OR 0.37).