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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Sample of Health Workers in Two Health Departments of the Valencian Community in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Kenan Rodríguez de Limia Ramírez

    (Human Resources Service, University Hospital of Vinalopó, 03293 Elche, Spain)

  • Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo

    (Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

  • José Luis Duro-Torrijos

    (Research and Teaching Service, University Hospital of Vinalopó, 03293 Elche, Spain)

  • Vicente García-Román

    (Preventive Medicine Service, University Hospital of Vinalopó, 03293 Elche, Spain)

  • Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez

    (Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

  • Rosario Ferrer-Cascales

    (Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain)

Abstract

Health care personnel constitutes the most vulnerable group of professionals, as they are employed in a work context with higher exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health personnel ( n = 2858) of two health departments in the Valencian community between March 2020 and April 2021, as well as the sociodemographic and work variables predicting higher infection prevalence in this group. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on health workers from the health departments of Torrevieja and Elche-Crevillente of the Valencian Community (Spain). After obtaining the samples, the cases were identified through an active infection diagnostic test (AIDT). The analyzed variables were: sex, age (18–34/35–49/>50 years), professional category, health care, risk service, and AIDT. A total of 2858 staff members were studied. Of them, 55.4% (1582) underwent an AIDT, with 9.7% (277) of positive cases. Infection predominated in the age group of 18 to 34 years, 12.6% (OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.26, 3.11]); nurses, 12.1% (OR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.00, 2.23]); and at-risk services, 11.4% (OR = 1.3, 95% CI [1.06, 1.81]). A very low positivity rate was identified in the health personnel linked to the health departments analyzed during the 14 months of the study period. Based on our results, prevention strategies could focus more intensively on the most at-risk groups, specifically young nurses who work in at-risk services, mainly in emergency and internal medicine.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenan Rodríguez de Limia Ramírez & Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo & José Luis Duro-Torrijos & Vicente García-Román & Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez & Rosario Ferrer-Cascales, 2021. "Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Sample of Health Workers in Two Health Departments of the Valencian Community in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:66-:d:708374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Meintrup & Martina Nowak-Machen & Stefan Borgmann, 2021. "Nine Months of COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe: A Comparative Time Series Analysis of Cases and Fatalities in 35 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Francesco Napolitano & Gabriella Di Giuseppe & Maria Vittoria Montemurro & Anna Maria Molinari & Giovanna Donnarumma & Antonio Arnese & Maria Pavia & Italo Francesco Angelillo, 2021. "Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Adults and Healthcare Workers in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Edith Lahner & Emanuele Dilaghi & Claudio Prestigiacomo & Giuliano Alessio & Laura Marcellini & Maurizio Simmaco & Iolanda Santino & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Paolo Anibaldi & Adriano Marcolongo & Brun, 2020. "Prevalence of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Health Workers (HWs) and Diagnostic Test Performance: The Experience of a Teaching Hospital in Central Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
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    1. Ngqabutho Moyo & Anita D. Bhappu & Moment Bhebhe & Farai Ncube, 2022. "Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Employee Decision-Making: How Psychological Distress during the Pandemic Increases Negative Performance Outcomes among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, June.

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