COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in an oncology hospital

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İSKENDER G., MERT D., Avşar Z., Kölgelier S., ERTEK M.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, cilt.17, sa.9, ss.1246-1254, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 17 Sayı: 9
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3855/jidc.17404
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1246-1254
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, healthcare workers, oncology hospital
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Healthcare workers are at high risk for acquiring COVID-19 and transmitting it to the patients especially to cancer patients in whom the risk of severe COVID-19 is high. We determined the rate of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in an oncology hospital and their epidemiological characteristics. Methodology: Data of infected workers from March 11, 2020, to February 28, 2022 were obtained via Infection Control Committee COVID-19 Surveillance Records and evaluated retrospectively. Results: During this period 58.34% of 2,355 workers were vaccinated with > 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 1,294 COVID-19 attacks developed in 1,181 (50.14%) workers; mean age was 38.08 ± 9.52 years, 744 (63%) were female. Re-infection occurred in 112 (9.5%) workers. Source of infection in 858 attacks (66.31%) was unknown. Hospitalization was needed in 24 (2%) and intensive care unit admission in 1 (0.08%), no death occurred. In the first attacks, 587 (49.70%) were unvaccinated; in re-infections 66 (58.92%) were ≥ 3 doses vaccinated. Hospitalizations were predominantly in the pre-Delta period (16/24: 66.7%, p < 0.05). Re-infections occurred mostly in the Omicron variant period (p < 0.05). Relationship between hospitalization and male gender, age ≥ 50 years, "doctor" profession and presence of chronic diseases were significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: During the study period, half of the healthcare workers in our hospital developed COVID-19 infection of whom 9.5% re-infected, predominantly during the Omicron variant period. Our findings highlight the importance of taking preventive measures and administering booster vaccine doses even after initial vaccination/infection.