Abstract:
Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk
of acquiring infections during this ongoing COVID-19
outbreak. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence
of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the socio demographic and clinical
profile and the possible risk factors for infection among the
HCWs at Mugda Medical College Hospital (MuMCH).
Method: This retrospective observational study was done
among the HCWs of MuMCH from 19 April, 2020 to 15
May, 2020. The SARS-CoV-2 positive 37 HCWs were
interviewed over telephone by a structured questionnaire and
the obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.
Result: Out of total 343 HCWs, total 37(10.79%) cases were
detected COVID-19 positive. Out of them, 13(35.14%) were
male and 24 (64.86%) were female. The median age was 36
years. Among the infected HCWs, 26 (70.27%) did not have
any pre-existing comorbidities. Bronchial asthma (13.51%)
and HTN (13.51%) were the most prevalent comorbidities.
Around 43.24% (16) had no definite symptoms for COVID-
19. Among the 21(56.76%) symptomatic cases, 15(40.54%)
had mild and 6(16.22%) had moderate symptoms. The most
common symptoms were cough (16, 43.24%), fever (11,
29.73%), sore throat (7, 18.92%) and fatigue/malaise (7,
18.92%). All had completely recovered uneventfully although
22(59.46%) got admitted to hospital. Only 12(32.43%) were
involved in aerosol generating procedure. Total 26 cases
(70.27%) used appropriate PPE during their duty. Although
only 4(10.81%) got adequate training on PPE use,
33(89.19%) of them had adequate knowledge on that. About
15(40.54%) were reusing PPEs. Most of them (33, 89.20%)
were not taking any chemoprophylaxis; all were following
traditional preventive measures. Among the HCWs,
26(70.27%) were not satisfied with the infection prevention
and control (IPC) measures taken by the hospital authority.
All of them presumed that, their occupational exposure was
the possible source of COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion: More than 1 in 10 HCWs at MuMCH was
infected with SARS-CoV-2 while working at the hospital.
They represented the younger age group, had fewer
comorbidities. Nurses were the most affected category. All
experienced uneventful recovery and most of them were not
satisfied with the IPC measures taken by the hospital
authority. Further studies are required to identify the level of
risk of infection, possible risk factors and outcomes and to
improve the IPC measures of the hospital.
Key words: Health Care Worker, COVID-19 infection.
(J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38: 43-49)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v38i0.47442