Rates and Factors Related to Coronavirus 2019 Infection in Healthcare Workers, Vachira Phuket Hospital

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers' exposure to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe concern since it puts the workforce at risk, leading to personnel shortages and an increased strain on medical services. Additionally, infected employees may transmit the illness, endangering coworkers and susceptible patients in medical settings.

Objectives: This study was conducted with the objectives to study (1) The rate of COVID-19 infection and clinical symptoms among healthcare workers (2) Personal factors and prevention behaviors of COVID-19 (3) The relationship of personal factors, and prevention behaviors of COVID-19 and (4) to compare the rates and risk factors of COVID-19 infection among medical personnel who care for COVID-19 patients and those who do not care for COVID-19 patients.

Methodology: This study is a retrospective descriptive study. The samples were 82 healthcare workers who worked in Vachira Phuket Hospital and tested with RT-PCR were identified from April to December 2021. Data were collected by reviewing the disease investigation form of the Department of Disease Control. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and the Chi-square test was used to compare the data with a p-value <0.05.

Results: The results showed that the COVID-19 infection rate among healthcare workers was not different among healthcare workers who took care of patients and those who did not care for COVID-19 patients. All healthcare workers were female (70.7%), with a mean age of 36.17 years, nursing assistants (30.3%), and other departments (37.8%). Most of them have mild symptoms (86.6%), nasal discharge (59.8%), normal chest X-ray (96.8%), admitted to a field hospital/specialized hospital (86.6%), receive antiviral drugs (Favipiravir) (79.3%), had previously received the COVID-19 vaccine (97.6%), receiving 3 doses (75.6%). The risk of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers is that most of them live in outbreak areas (100.0%) and have a history of contact with confirmed cases outside hospitals (41.5%). Personal factors that correlate with COVID-19 infection prevention behavior include job type and the department in which they work. There was a statistically significant correlation at <0.05. Specific risk profiles of healthcare workers were classified according to the groups of personnel caring for COVID-19 patients and not caring for COVID-19 patients, found that in terms of having attended training in infection prevention and control in hospitals, in terms of having a history of close contact with patients, the contact with the equipment or objects of the patients and contact with colleagues who work with patients without wearing personal protective equipment. The two groups were statistically significantly different at <0.05.

Conclusion: Healthcare workers are at risk of being exposed to COVID-19, so they should be aware of self-protection. The hospital should regularly review measures or guidelines for the control and prevention of COVID-19.