1
|
Young S, Goldin S, Dumolard L, Shendale S, McMurren B, Maltezou HC, Desai S. National vaccination policies for health workers - A cross-sectional global overview. Vaccine 2024; 42:757-769. [PMID: 37321897 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunization is essential for safeguarding health workers from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) that they may encounter at work; however, information about the prevalence and scope of national policies that protect health workers through vaccination is limited. Understanding the global landscape of health worker immunization programmes can help direct resources, assist decision-making and foster partnerships as nations consider strategies for increasing vaccination uptake among health workers. METHODS A one-time supplementary survey was distributed to World Health Organization (WHO) Member States using the WHO/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Joint Reporting Form on Immunization (JRF). Respondents described their 2020 national vaccination policies for health workers - detailing VPD policies and characterising technical and funding support, monitoring and evaluation activities and provisions for vaccinating health workers in emergencies. RESULTS A total of 53 % (103/194) Member States responded and described health worker policies: 51 had a national policy for vaccinating health workers; 10 reported plans to introduce a national policy within 5 years; 20 had subnational/institutional policies; 22 had no policy for vaccinating health workers. Most national policies were integrated with occupational health and safety policies (67 %) and included public and private providers (82 %). Hepatitis B, seasonal influenza and measles were most frequently included in policies. Countries both with and without national vaccination policies reported monitoring and reporting vaccine uptake (43 countries), promoting vaccination (53 countries) and assessing vaccine demand, uptake or reasons for undervaccination (25 countries) among health workers. Mechanisms for introducing a vaccine for health workers in an emergency existed in 62 countries. CONCLUSION National policies for vaccinating health workers were complex and context specific with regional and income-level variations. Opportunities exist for developing and strengthening national health worker immunization programmes. Existing health worker immunization programmes might provide a foothold on which broader health worker vaccination policies can be built and strengthened.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stacy Young
- Independent Consultant, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Helena C Maltezou
- Directorate for Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hamley JID, Beldi G, Sánchez-Taltavull D. Infectious Disease in the Workplace: Quantifying Uncertainty in Transmission. Bull Math Biol 2024; 86:27. [PMID: 38302803 PMCID: PMC10834607 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-023-01249-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Understanding disease transmission in the workplace is essential for protecting workers. To model disease outbreaks, the small populations in many workplaces require that stochastic effects are considered, which results in higher uncertainty. The aim of this study was to quantify and interpret the uncertainty inherent in such circumstances. We assessed how uncertainty of an outbreak in workplaces depends on i) the infection dynamics in the community, ii) the workforce size, iii) spatial structure in the workplace, iv) heterogeneity in susceptibility of workers, and v) heterogeneity in infectiousness of workers. To address these questions, we developed a multiscale model: A deterministic model to predict community transmission, and a stochastic model to predict workplace transmission. We extended this basic workplace model to allow for spatial structure, and heterogeneity in susceptibility and infectiousness in workers. We found a non-monotonic relationship between the workplace transmission rate and the coefficient of variation (CV), which we use as a measure of uncertainty. Increasing community transmission, workforce size and heterogeneity in susceptibility decreased the CV. Conversely, increasing the level of spatial structure and heterogeneity in infectiousness increased the CV. However, when the model predicts bimodal distributions, for example when community transmission is low and workplace transmission is high, the CV fails to capture this uncertainty. Overall, our work informs modellers and policy makers on how model complexity impacts outbreak uncertainty. In particular: workforce size, community and workplace transmission, spatial structure and individual heterogeneity contribute in a specific and individual manner to the predicted workplace outbreak size distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan I D Hamley
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Guido Beldi
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Perio MA, Srivastav A, Razzaghi H, Laney AS, Black CL. Paid Sick Leave Among U.S. Healthcare Personnel, April 2022. Am J Prev Med 2023; 65:521-527. [PMID: 36878415 PMCID: PMC10440219 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare personnel are at risk for acquiring and transmitting respiratory infections in the workplace. Paid sick leave benefits allow workers to stay home and visit a healthcare provider when ill. The objectives of this study were to quantify the percentage of healthcare personnel reporting paid sick leave, identify differences across occupations and settings, and determine the factors associated with having paid sick leave. METHODS In a national nonprobability Internet panel survey of healthcare personnel in April 2022, respondents were asked, Does your employer offer paid sick leave? Responses were weighted to the U.S. healthcare personnel population by age, sex, race/ethnicity, work setting, and census region. The weighted percentage of healthcare personnel who reported paid sick leave was calculated by occupation, work setting, and type of employment. Using multivariable logistic regression, the factors associated with having paid sick leave were identified. RESULTS In April 2022, 73.2% of 2,555 responding healthcare personnel reported having paid sick leave, similar to 2020 and 2021 estimates. The percentage of healthcare personnel reporting paid sick leave varied by occupation, ranging from 63.9% (assistants/aides) to 81.2% (nonclinical personnel). Female healthcare personnel and those working as licensed independent practitioners, in the Midwest, and in the South were less likely to report paid sick leave. CONCLUSIONS Most healthcare personnel from all occupational groups and healthcare settings reported having paid sick leave. However, differences by sex, occupation, type of work arrangement, and Census region exist and highlight disparities. Increasing healthcare personnel's access to paid sick leave may decrease presenteeism and subsequent transmission of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie A de Perio
- Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | | | - Hilda Razzaghi
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - A Scott Laney
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Carla L Black
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Torén K, Albin M, Bergström T, Alderling M, Schioler L, Åberg M. Occupational risks for infection with influenza A and B: a national case-control study covering 1 July 2006-31 December 2019. Occup Environ Med 2023:oemed-2022-108755. [PMID: 37193595 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated whether crowded workplaces, sharing surfaces and exposure to infections were factors associated with a positive test for influenza virus. METHODS We studied 11 300 cases with a positive test for influenza A and 3671 cases of influenza B from Swedish registry of communicable diseases. Six controls for each case were selected from the population registry, with each control being assigned the index date of their corresponding case. We linked job histories to job-exposure matrices (JEMs), to assess different transmission dimensions of influenza and risks for different occupations compared with occupations that the JEM classifies as low exposed. We used adjusted conditional logistic analyses to estimate the ORs for influenza with 95% CI. RESULTS The highest odds were for influenza were: regular contact with infected patients (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.54 to 1.73); never maintained social distance (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.59); frequently sharing materials/surfaces with the general public (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.48); close physical proximity (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.62) and high exposure to diseases or infections (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.64). There were small differences between influenza A and influenza B. The five occupations with the highest odds as compared with low exposed occupations were: primary care physicians, protective service workers, elementary workers, medical and laboratory technicians, and taxi drivers. CONCLUSIONS Contact with infected patients, low social distance and sharing surfaces are dimensions that increase risk for influenza A and B. Further safety measures are needed to diminish viral transmission in these contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kjell Torén
- Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Bergström
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Alderling
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linus Schioler
- Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Maria Åberg
- Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silva SB, Souza FDO, Pinho PDS, Santos DV. Health Belief Model in studies of influenza vaccination among health care workers. Rev Bras Med Trab 2023; 21:e2022839. [PMID: 38313093 PMCID: PMC10835387 DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccines prevent numerous infectious diseases, including influenza. Despite their significant contribution to controlling influenza, vaccine coverage against this disease varies among health care workers. The Health Belief Model could thus help to understand the reasons why these workers accept (or not) the immunobiological. The aim of this study was to describe the main results of research performed on influenza vaccination among health care workers using the Health Belief Model. This is an integrative literature review. Data search took place in October 2020 in the PubMed database, with the following descriptors: "influenza vaccine"; "health professionals"; "Health Belief Model," and their synonyms. Eleven studies were included in this review. The main dimensions of the model (susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers) were more explored by the studies, and self-efficacy was the least studied dimension. Moreover, we observed a relationship between the theory's dimensions (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy) and influenza vaccination in health care workers. In conclusion, this review identified profiles of beliefs for each dimension of the Health Belief Model, which has traditionally been an ally for determining refusal or acceptance of the influenza vaccine among health care workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suellen Bittencourt Silva
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do
Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA, Brazil
| | - Fernanda de Oliveira Souza
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do
Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA, Brazil
| | - Paloma de Sousa Pinho
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do
Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA, Brazil
| | - Deisy Vital Santos
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do
Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Anwar MMU, Sumon SA, Mohona TM, Rahman A, Md Abdullah SAH, Islam MS, Harun MGD. Uptake of Influenza Vaccine and Factors Associated with Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Bangladesh: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020360. [PMID: 36851238 PMCID: PMC9966774 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza, highly contagious in hospital settings, imposes a substantial disease burden globally, and influenza vaccination is critical for healthcare workers (HCWs) to prevent this illness. This study assessed influenza vaccine uptake, including its associated factors among HCWs of tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh. Between September and December 2020, this multicenter study included 2046 HCWs from 11 hospitals. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from physicians, nurses, and cleaning and administrative staff for the survey. Only 13.8% (283/2046) of HCWs received the influenza vaccine, of which the majority (76.7%, 217/283) received it for free from the hospital. Nurses had the highest (20.0%, 187/934) influenza vaccine coverage, followed by physicians at 13.5% (71/526), whereas cleaning staff had the lowest at 6.0% (19/318). Among unvaccinated HCWs, the desire to get vaccinated was high (86.2%), with half of the respondents even being willing to pay for it. The HCWs who were aware of the influenza vaccine were over five times more likely to get the vaccine (OR 5.63; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.88) compared to those who were not. HCWs in Bangladesh were vaccinated against influenza at a very low rate. Free and mandatory influenza vaccination programs should be initiated to optimize vaccine coverage among HCWs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shariful Amin Sumon
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Tahrima Mohsin Mohona
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Aninda Rahman
- Communicable Disease Control (CDC), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | | | - Md. Saiful Islam
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Md. Golam Dostogir Harun
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang H, Farokhnia F, Sanchuli N. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of workers and the associated social-economic aspects: A narrative review. Work 2023; 74:31-45. [PMID: 36245355 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has struck nations worldwide, pushing worldwide health and socio-economic systems to extreme limits. Upon exposure to an exceeding number of patients and supply shortages, the resilience of healthcare resources has been broadly challenged. OBJECTIVE We will firstly discuss the mental health turmoil during the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary focus of this study and delve into the mental health repercussions among the workforce. Also, we debate the risk factors, particularly highlighting the impact of social behaviors and media exposure. We examine the pandemic's impact on occupational health services. Secondly, we thoroughly discuss the effect of socio-economic and race disparities in the COVID-19 contraction and the related psychologic sequelae. Economic outcomes are also highlighted, particularly alterations in poverty rates and occupational sectors. METHODS Peer-reviewed reports were extracted through Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar until June 2022. RESULTS A constellation of untoward spillover effects of the pandemic, including dramatic changes in public and workplace environments, enduring curfew, and low wages, have put socio-economic aspects of daily life under exuberant strain. Indeed, occupational and public health stakeholders presume a coinciding social crisis to occur, provided the pandemic's implications on socioeconomics and psychological wellbeing are not addressed well with evidence-based approaches and peer services. CONCLUSION Evaluating the socio-economic and mental health impact is imperative to cope with the pandemic. Also, we should assess the predisposing and protecting factors in a broad array of life aspects associated with COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- School of Tourism, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Fahimeh Farokhnia
- Department of Pediatrics, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Narges Sanchuli
- Department of Education Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Gorgan, Gorgan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Intention among Nurses Who Have Been Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19: Evidence from Greece. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010159. [PMID: 36680004 PMCID: PMC9867012 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Seasonal influenza continues to be a significant public health issue causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Nurses are a priority risk group for influenza vaccination and a high vaccine uptake rate among them is crucial to protect public health. Thus, the aim of our study was to estimate the levels of influenza vaccine acceptance, as well as its determinants, among nurses for the 2022/2023 season. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample in Greece. We collected data via an online survey in September 2022. Most of the nurses in the study possessed a MSc/PhD diploma (56.2%) and had previously been infected by SARS-CoV-2 (70.3%). Among nurses, 57.3% were willing to accept the influenza vaccine, 19% were hesitant, and 23.7% were unwilling. Older age, higher levels of perceived support from significant others, and higher COVID-19-related physical exhaustion were positively related to influenza vaccination intention. In contrast, more side effects because of COVID-19 vaccination and higher levels of exhaustion due to measures taken against COVID-19 were negatively associated with vaccination intention. Since the influenza vaccination acceptance rate among nurses was moderate, policymakers should develop and implement measures tailored specifically to nurses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to decrease vaccine hesitancy.
Collapse
|
9
|
Manzoor F, Wei L, Zia ul Haq M, Rehman HU. Assessment of Mental Health of Medical Personnel during COVID-19: Insights from Pakistan. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11824. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
10
|
Ma Y, Han X, Li W, Yang Y, Xu Y, Liu D, Yang W, Feng L, Ma L. Self-reported vaccination-related behavior patterns among healthcare workers and the association with self-directed learning frequency: A nationwide cross-sectional survey. Front Public Health 2022; 10:951818. [PMID: 36339203 PMCID: PMC9634157 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.951818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Healthcare workers play an essential role in improving the public's vaccination uptake, but the full picture of such workers' engagement in vaccination-related behaviors has not been appropriately identified. According to the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change, self-directed learning may be a promising intervention for fostering engagement in vaccination-related behaviors, but the association between self-directed learning and such behaviors remains unclear. This study aimed to determine Chinese healthcare workers' level of engagement in behaviors for combatting vaccine-preventable diseases and assess the association between frequency of performing vaccine-focused SDL and engagement in vaccination-related behaviors. Materials and methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 27 to February 21, 2022, using the survey platform "wjx." Respondents were restricted to healthcare workers aged 18-65 years. A Sankey diagram and bar plots were constructed to determine patterns of engagement in a vaccination-related-behavior chain. Unconditional binary logistic regression models were fitted to determine the association between frequency of performing vaccine-focused self-directed learning and engagement in vaccination-related behaviors. Results Of the 2,248 survey respondents, data for 2,065 were analyzed. Participants who had received influenza or pneumococcal vaccination, routinely recommended vaccination to patients, tracked patients' vaccination status, and recommended efficiently accounted for 43.2%, 50.8%, 40.3%, and 36.4% of the total participants, respectively. When only considering those who routinely made such recommendations, the proportion of those who performed tracking and efficient recommendation was 28.8% and 26.2%, respectively. When compared to performing self-directed learning "never to less than once/six months," performing self-directed learning "more than once/week" was positively associated with being vaccinated (OR, 95% CI: 2.30, 1.74-3.03), routinely recommending vaccination (OR, 95% CI: 4.46, 3.30-6.04), and tracking the status of patients so recommended (OR, 95% CI: 6.18, 4.35-8.76). Conclusions Chinese healthcare workers' pattern of engagement in vaccination-related behaviors must be improved. Higher frequencies of engagement in self-directed learning are associated with more active engagement in vaccination-related behaviors, meaning raising such frequencies could be a promising intervention for fostering behavior changes in this regard and ultimately increasing vaccination coverage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ma
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Han
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Center for Applied Statistics and School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yunshao Xu
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Di Liu
- “Breath Circles” Network Platform, Beijing, China
| | - Weizhong Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Luzhao Feng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Luzhao Feng
| | - Libing Ma
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China,Libing Ma
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
How Can Personal Protective Equipment Be Best Used and Reused: A Closer Look at Donning and Doffing Procedures. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2022; 17:e272. [PMID: 36155649 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine safety-related contamination threats and risks to health-care workers (HCWs) due to the reuse of personal protective equipment (PPE) among emergency department (ED) personnel. METHODS We used a Participatory Design (PD) approach to conduct task analysis (TA) of PPE use and reuse. TA identified the steps, risks, and protective behaviors involved in PPE reuse. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for PPE donning and doffing specifying the recommended task order. Then, we convened subject matter experts (SMEs) with relevant backgrounds in Patient Safety, Human Factors and Emergency Medicine to iteratively identify and map the tasks, risks, and protective behaviors involved in the PPE use and reuse. RESULTS Two emerging threats were associated with behaviors in donning, doffing, and re-using PPE: (i) direct exposure to contaminant, and (ii) transmission/spread of contaminant. Protective behaviors included: hand hygiene, not touching the patient-facing surface of PPE, and ensuring a proper fit and closure of all PPE ties and materials. CONCLUSIONS TA was helpful revealed that the procedure for donning and doffing of re-used PPE does not protect ED personnel from contaminant spread and risk of exposure, even with protective behaviors present (e.g., hand hygiene, respirator use, etc.). Future work should make more apparent the underlying risks associated with PPE use and reuse.
Collapse
|
12
|
Hassan MZ, Shirin T, Rahman M, Alamgir ASM, Jahan N, Al Jubayer Biswas MA, Khan SH, Basher MAK, Islam MA, Hussain K, Islam MN, Rabbany MA, Haque MA, Chakraborty SR, Parvin SR, Rahman M, Chowdhury F. Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals, Bangladesh: Study protocol for influenza vaccine supply and awareness intervention. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1819. [PMID: 36153529 PMCID: PMC9509585 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14182-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Healthcare workers (HCWs), such as doctors, nurses, and support staffs involved in direct or indirect patient care, are at increased risk of influenza virus infections due to occupational exposures. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, Bangladesh lacks a seasonal influenza vaccination policy for HCWs, and thus vaccination rates remain low. The current project aims to investigate the effect of interventions on influenza vaccine awareness and availability of vaccine supply, explore HCWs’ knowledge and perceptions about influenza vaccination, understand the barriers and motivators for influenza vaccine uptake, and understand policymakers' views on the practicality of influenza vaccination among HCWs.
Method
We will conduct the study at four tertiary care teaching hospitals in Bangladesh, using a cluster randomized controlled trial approach, with the hospital as the unit of randomization and intervention. The study population will include all types of HCWs.The four different types of intervention will be randomly allocated and implemented in four study hospitals separately. The four interventions will be: i) ensuring the availability of influenza vaccine supply; ii) developing influenza vaccine awareness; iii) both ensuring influenza vaccine supply and developing influenza vaccine awareness and iv) control arm with no intervention. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be applied to assess the intervention effect. We will estimate the Difference in Differences (DID) with 95% CI of the proportion of vaccine uptake between each intervention and control (non-intervention) arm, adjusting for the clustering effect. The qualitative data will be summarised using a framework matrix method.
Discussion
The results of this study will inform the development and implementation of a context-specific strategy to enhance influenza vaccination rates among Bangladeshi HCWs.
Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05521763. Version 2.0 was registered in September 2022, and the first participant enrolled in March 2022. Retrospectively registered.
Collapse
|
13
|
Padmanabhan A, Abraham SV, Koul PA. Knowledge, attitude and practices towards seasonal influenza vaccination among healthcare workers. Lung India 2022; 39:437-442. [PMID: 36629204 PMCID: PMC9623859 DOI: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_741_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vaccination as a primary prevention strategy is a well-established public health policy for preventing influenza. Despite strong recommendation, vaccination coverage among health workers is still not satisfying. The intention of the current study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards influenza vaccination among healthcare workers. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional, single-centre study, 789 healthcare workers (out of total 1380) participated. Institutional ethical committee clearance was obtained before the study. It was conducted in October 2021. A structured questionnaire in the form of Google sheet was sent to all healthcare professionals (HCPs) affiliated with the institution. Data collected was tabulated using MS Excel and analysed using appropriate statistical tools. Results Of the 1380 approached, a total of 789 (57.17%) HCPs responded to the questionnaire. The overall vaccination coverage in the study population was 71.6%. The overall vaccination acceptance rate drops to 36.78% when those taken vaccine as a recommended pre-employment requisite and got never vaccinated again were excluded. Also, 88.21% of the respondents believed that influenza is a potentially dangerous disease and 93.16% believed that flu vaccination is effective against preventing influenza. Although 736 participants (93.28%) were aware that seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for healthcare workers, irrespective of age and comorbidities, only 411 (52.1%) intended to take vaccine in the coming year. Also, 97.34% of the participants considered vaccine as safe. Conclusion Influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers is still at an unsatisfactory level. This is despite majority of the HCPs accepting that the vaccine is safe and preventive against influenza. Efforts are still needed to improve the coverage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Padmanabhan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Anayara P.O, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Sujith Varghese Abraham
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Anayara P.O, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Parvaiz A. Koul
- Department of Internal and Pulmonary Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir India
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Real-world impact of vaccination on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence in healthcare personnel at an academic medical center. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2022; 43:1194-1200. [PMID: 34287111 PMCID: PMC8353192 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination effectiveness in healthcare personnel (HCP) has been established. However, questions remain regarding its performance in high-risk healthcare occupations and work locations. We describe the effect of a COVID-19 HCP vaccination campaign on SARS-CoV-2 infection by timing of vaccination, job type, and work location. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance, incidence of postvaccination COVID-19, hospitalization, and mortality among 16,156 faculty, students, and staff at a large academic medical center. Data were collected 8 weeks prior to the start of phase 1a vaccination of frontline employees and ended 11 weeks after campaign onset. RESULTS The COVID-19 incidence rate among HCP at our institution decreased from 3.2% during the 8 weeks prior to the start of vaccinations to 0.38% by 4 weeks after campaign initiation. COVID-19 risk was reduced among individuals who received a single vaccination (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.68; P < .0001) and was further reduced with 2 doses of vaccine (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.09-0.32; P < .0001). By 2 weeks after the second dose, the observed case positivity rate was 0.04%. Among phase 1a HCP, we observed a lower risk of COVID-19 among physicians and a trend toward higher risk for respiratory therapists independent of vaccination status. Rates of infection were similar in a subgroup of nurses when examined by work location. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in HCP. Despite these encouraging results, unvaccinated HCP remain at an elevated risk of infection, highlighting the need for targeted outreach to combat vaccine hesitancy.
Collapse
|
15
|
Nienhaus A. COVID-19 – Arbeitsfähigkeit und Fehlzeiten bei
Beschäftigten im Gesundheitswesen. REHABILITATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1830-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
16
|
Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Uptake and the Role of Health Literacy among Health and Social Care Volunteers in the Province of Prato (Italy). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116688. [PMID: 35682272 PMCID: PMC9180793 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for volunteers involved in primary health and social services. Little is known about the volunteers’ adhesion to influenza vaccination recommendations. The aim of this study was to assess influenza vaccination determinants among a group of volunteers who provided essential activities during the first SARS-CoV-2 pandemic wave in the province of Prato, Tuscany (Italy) and to evaluate the role of health literacy in influencing vaccination determinants. Method: In this cross-sectional study, the predictors of influenza vaccination uptake were assessed through the administration of a questionnaire. Variables significantly associated with influenza vaccination uptake were included in five multivariate logistic regression models through a backward stepwise procedure. Results: Among the 502 enrolled volunteers, 24.3% reported being vaccinated in the 2019–2020 season. Vaccination uptake was 48.8% in participants aged 65 years or older and 15.7% in those aged 64 years or younger. Considering the whole sample in the final model of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the predictors of influenza vaccination uptake were age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.03–1.07), presence of heart diseases (OR = 2.98; 95% CI = 1.24–7.19), pulmonary diseases (OR = 6.18; 95% CI = 2.01–19.04) and having undergone surgery under general anesthesia in the prior year (OR = 3.14; 95% CI = 1.23–8.06). In the multivariate model considering only participants with a sufficient level of health literacy (HL), none of these predictors resulted in significant associations with vaccination uptake, except for age (OR= 1.04; 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings revealed a very low influenza vaccination uptake among volunteers, suggesting the need to increase awareness in this at-risk group by means of a better communication approach.
Collapse
|
17
|
Talukder A, Islam MN, Sarker M, Goswami I, Siddiqua RR, Akter F, Chowdhury S, Chowdhury IA, Rahman AU, Latif M. Knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 among mothers of under-2 children and adult males: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059091. [PMID: 35623761 PMCID: PMC9149685 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 among Bangladeshi mothers with children aged 2 years or less and adult males. DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge and practices using a multistage cluster sampling technique. SETTINGS Six districts with high COVID-19 infection rates in Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS 2185 mothers of under-2 children and 657 adult males were surveyed in December 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We constructed weighted composite knowledge and practice scores and examined associations between composite scores and background characteristics using linear regression models. RESULTS Knowledge on possible routes of transmission of the novel coronavirus and the critical handwashing and mask-wearing etiquettes was poor. On a scale of 100, the mean composite knowledge scores of mothers and adult males were respectively 33.5 (SD=15; 95% CI 32.9 to 34.1) and 38.2 (SD=14.8; 95% CI 37.1 to 39.4). In contrast to knowledge, adult males obtained lower practice scores than mothers, primarily due to poor physical distancing practices. The mean practice scores of mothers and adult males were 63.0 (SD=18.1; 95% CI 62.3 to 63.8) and 53.4 (SD=17.5; 95% CI 52.0 to 54.7). Moreover, education, household income and access to television and the internet are significantly associated with knowledge. People residing proximal to a city revealed higher knowledge than the relatively distant ones. This was also the case for practice scores; however, the other factors associated with knowledge did not have a significant association with practices. CONCLUSIONS In general, both mothers and adult males presented with poor knowledge and practices related to COVID-19. While local, national and international institutions should design and implement educational interventions to help improve knowledge, our research shows that mere knowledge may not be enough to ensure practice. Hence, authorities could reinforce positive social norms by setting benchmarks and introducing rewards or sanctions to improve practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Animesh Talukder
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Malabika Sarker
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Indranil Goswami
- School of Management, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Fahmida Akter
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Srizan Chowdhury
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Albaab-Ur Rahman
- Health, Nutrition, and Population Program, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbub Latif
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Institute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chen S, Jiang Y, Tang X, Gan L, Xiong Y, Chen T, Peng B. Research on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in Chongqing, China—Based on Structural Equation Model. Front Public Health 2022; 10:853041. [PMID: 35664097 PMCID: PMC9160795 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.853041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Influenza is associated with a large number of disease burdens, and it is generally recommended that all healthcare workers (HCWs) get an influenza vaccination. However, the vaccination rates among HCWs are still low. This study aimed to assess HCWs' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about the influenza vaccine, and by establishing a structural equation model (SEM) to explore the influencing factors of medical personnel's influenza vaccination in Chongqing, China. Methods From September to November 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in four sentinel hospitals and four non-sentinel hospitals in Chongqing, China. We calculated knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores for each study participant and assessed the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of the medical staff. An SEM was used to evaluate the relationship between latent variables, and the path graph between knowledge, attitude, and behavior was established. Results A total of 1,412 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey, including four sentinel hospitals (N = 606, 42.92%) and four non-sentinel hospitals (N = 806, 57.08%). Women (N = 1,102, 78.05%) were more than men (N = 310, 21.95%), with an average age of 32.36 ± 7.78 years old and under 30 years old (N = 737, 52.20%), respectively. Nurses (741, 52.48%) were the main subjects, followed by physicians (457, 32.37%). The final SEM model was obtained after the model was modified and adjusted. A bootstrap analysis of path coefficients was carried out on the final model. Knowledge has a direct influence on behavior. The normalized path coefficient is 0.071 (95% CI: 0.002–0.161), and the value of P of the hypothesis test result of the path coefficient is 0.042. The direct influence of knowledge on attitude standardization was 0.175 (95% CI: 0.095–0.281). The direct influence of attitude on practice standardization was 0.818 (95% CI: 0.770–0.862). The indirect effect of knowledge on the standardization of practice through attitude was 0.144 (95% CI: 0.076–0.235). Conclusions According to the SEM, there is a direct positive correlation between KAP and the influenza vaccine. The indirect influence of knowledge on the standard of behavior through attitude is about two times as much as the direct influence on behavior, indicating that attitude plays a strong mediating role between knowledge and practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yueming Jiang
- Clinical 5+3 Integration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaojun Tang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Gan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Xiong
- Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Chen
- National Influenza Center, Institute of Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization Influenza Reference and Research Cooperation Center, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Peng
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Barriers and facilitators to uptake and promotion of influenza vaccination among health care workers in the community in Beijing, China: A qualitative study. Vaccine 2022; 40:2202-2208. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.02.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
20
|
Boyacıoğlu NE, Ok E, Temel M. Experiences of health professionals diagnosed with COVID-19 in coping with the disease. Int Nurs Rev 2022; 69:185-195. [PMID: 35201624 PMCID: PMC9111642 DOI: 10.1111/inr.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Aim This study evaluates the experiences of health professionals diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in coping with the disease. Background During the COVID‐19 pandemic, health professionals faced various physical and psychological difficulties. Many of them were also infected with COVID‐19. Methods This study used a descriptive phenomenological approach and was conducted between May and June 2020. The participants were 24 health professionals who were diagnosed with COVID‐19. Data were collected by phone using semistructured and in‐depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven‐step method with the support of MAXQDA software. Results After the data analysis, the primary codes were extracted, and subthemes were created by categorizing these codes. The subthemes were organized, and themes were created. From the perspective of the participants, four main themes emerged: effects of the disease process on the participants, feelings of the disease process, differences in being infected with COVID‐19 as a health professional, and ways to cope with the disease. Conclusion The reactions of the people around them, their feelings and experiences, and their environmental and institutional support systems affected the ways health professionals coped with COVID‐19. Implications for health policy and nursing Health managers should provide medical, psychosocial, and legal resources as soon as possible so that health professionals diagnosed with COVID‐19 can receive the treatment and care that they need. COVID‐19 should be considered an occupational disease by health professionals all over the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nur Elçin Boyacıoğlu
- Assistant Professor, Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Health SciencesIstanbul University‐CerrahpaşaİstanbulTurkey
| | - Elif Ok
- Freelance ResearcherAnkaraTurkey
| | - Münire Temel
- Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, School of HealthTekirdağ Namık Kemal UniversityTekirdağTurkey
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Takahashi S, Yamada S, Sasaki S, Minato Y, Takahashi N, Kudo K, Nohara M, Kawachi I. Increase in people's behavioural risks for contracting COVID-19 during the 2021 New Year holiday season: longitudinal survey of the general population in Japan. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054770. [PMID: 35115354 PMCID: PMC8814428 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There has been no study in Japan on the predictors of risk for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection based on people's behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to document changes in risk behaviour during the New Year's holiday season in 2021 and to identify factors associated with high-risk behaviour for infection using a quantitative assessment tool. DESIGN A longitudinal survey. SETTING Multiphasic health check-ups for the general population in Iwate Prefecture. PARTICIPANTS Serial cross-sectional data were obtained using rapid online surveys of residents in Iwate Prefecture from 4 to 7 December 2020 (baseline survey) and from 5 to 7 February 2021 (follow-up survey). The data in those two surveys were available for a total of 9741 participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We estimated each individual's risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the microCOVID calculator. We defined four trajectories of individual risk behaviours based on the probabilities of remaining at low risk, increasing to high risk, improving to low risk and persistence of high risk. RESULTS Among people in the low-risk group in the first survey, 3.6% increased to high risk, while high risk persisted in 80.0% of people who were in the high-risk group at baseline. While healthcare workers were significantly more likely to be represented in both the increasing risk and persistently high-risk group, workers in the education setting were also associated with persistence of high risk (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.52 to 4.39; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In determining countermeasures against COVID-19 (as well as future outbreaks), health officials should take into account population changes in behaviour during large-scale public events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuko Takahashi
- Department of Health and Welfare, Iwate Prefectural Government, Morioka, Japan
- Division of Medical Education, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Shohei Yamada
- Department of Health and Welfare, Iwate Prefectural Government, Morioka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Sasaki
- Department of Health and Welfare, Iwate Prefectural Government, Morioka, Japan
| | - Yoichi Minato
- Department of Health and Welfare, Iwate Prefectural Government, Morioka, Japan
| | - Naomi Takahashi
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University Faculty of Medicine, Morioka, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Kudo
- Department of Health and Welfare, Iwate Prefectural Government, Morioka, Japan
| | - Masaru Nohara
- Department of Health and Welfare, Iwate Prefectural Government, Morioka, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Xie C, Zhang J, Ping J, Li X, Lv Y, Liao L. Prevalence and influencing factors of psychological distress among nurses in sichuan, china during the COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:854264. [PMID: 35990080 PMCID: PMC9385956 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.854264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world. Nurses have inevitably been influenced by it. PURPOSE To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of psychological distress among nurses in Sichuan, China over the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS This study used a cross-sectional survey design. Thousand eight hundred and seventy nurses who worked in COVID-19-designated hospitals participated in the study during the pandemic. Data was collected online between February 8 and February 13, 2020. The self-designed General Information Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Perception of Hospital Safety Climate Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used. The binomial logistic regression model was applied to assess the association between psychological distress and potential explanatory variables. FINDINGS At the beginning of the epidemy of the COVID-19 outbreak, 12% of nurses were found to experience psychological distress. The main influencing factors were personal precautionary measures at work, discomfort caused by protective equipment, perception of the hospital safety climate, coping style, and professional title. CONCLUSIONS In the pandemic, wearing protective equipment correctly, a safe hospital climate, and positive coping style for nurses could be beneficial for nurses' mental health. Nurse managers should take measures to build a safe hospital climate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Xie
- Department of Nursing, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia Ping
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- General Practice Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Lv
- Department of Healthcare-Associated Infections Control Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Limei Liao
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Borhany H, Golbabaei S, Jameie M, Borhani K. Moral Decision-Making in Healthcare and Medical Professions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. TRENDS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [PMCID: PMC8598100 DOI: 10.1007/s43076-021-00118-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, healthcare and medical professions face challenging situations. The high number of COVID-19 infected patients, scarce resources, and being vulnerable to the infection are among the reasons that may influence clinicians’ moral decision-making. Furthermore, healthcare workers may be carriers of coronavirus, resulting in their social interactions to involve moral decision-making. This study aimed to investigate the effect of working in the frontline on psychological and cognitive factors and how these factors influence moral decision-making in clinicians during the pandemic. Further, we evaluated the impact of these factors on compliance with social distancing. Clinicians who worked in hospitals allocated to coronavirus disease patients participated in our study. We designed an online survey containing eight dilemmas to test moral decision-making in clinicians. Information on clinicians’ behavior and psychological state during the COVID-19 pandemic including the degree of respect to social distancing, sources of stress, and dead cases of COVID-19 they confronted with were collected. First, the relation between these measures and moral decision-making was assessed. Next, we used multiple regression analysis to evaluate the degree to which these factors can predict variances in morality. Based on our results, clinicians’ most important source of stress was the infection of their families. Stress, estimated chance of self-infection, job satisfaction, and age predicted utilitarian behavior among them. Moreover, age, number of death cases of COVID-19 they confronted, perceived risk of infection, and stress were positively correlated to compliance with social distancing. Our results have critical implications in implementing policies for healthcare principals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Borhany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroosh Golbabaei
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mana Jameie
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khatereh Borhani
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
A Modern Perspective on Vaccinating Healthcare Service Providers in India: A Narrative Review. Infect Dis Ther 2021; 11:81-99. [PMID: 34773563 PMCID: PMC8590119 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-021-00558-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at increased risk of acquisition and transmission of infectious disease. Vaccinating HCPs is an essential preventive measure to protect them and their patients against communicable diseases, while positively and directly impacting the functioning of the healthcare system. In India, healthcare represents one of the largest employment sectors with 3.8 million HCPs; however, there is limited awareness of national immunisation guidelines for the Indian HCP population. Data from communicable disease outbreaks across India suggest inadequate vaccination rates amongst HCPs; studies have reported influenza and varicella vaccination rates as low as 4.4% and 16%, respectively. In this review, we discuss data highlighting the impact of insufficient vaccination coverage, barriers to vaccination, and the lack of immunisation guidelines amongst HCPs in India. COVID-19 vaccination programmes for HCPs have been critical in slowing the pandemic in India. This provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines amongst HCPs in India.
Collapse
|
25
|
Neumann M, Aigner A, Rossow E, Schwarz D, Marschallek M, Steinmann J, Stücker R, Koenigs I, Stock P. Low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence but high perception of risk among healthcare workers at children's hospital before second pandemic wave in Germany. World J Pediatr 2021; 17:484-494. [PMID: 34415560 PMCID: PMC8378295 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-021-00447-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers are considered a particularly high-risk group during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Healthcare workers in paediatrics are a unique subgroup: they come into frequent contact with children, who often experience few or no symptoms when infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and, therefore, may transmit the disease to unprotected staff. In Germany, no studies exist evaluating the risk of COVID-19 to healthcare workers in paediatric institutions. METHODS We tested the staff at a large children's hospital in Germany for immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 in a period between the first and second epidemic wave in Germany. We used a questionnaire to assess each individual's exposure risk and his/her own perception of having already been infected with SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS We recruited 619 participants from all sectors, clinical and non-clinical, constituting 70% of the entire staff. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 0.325% (95% confidence interval 0.039-1.168). Self-perceived risk of a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased with age (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.93). Having experienced symptoms more than doubled the odds of a high self-perceived risk (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-3.00). There was no significant difference in self-perceived risk between men and women. CONCLUSIONS Seroprevalence was low among healthcare workers at a large children's hospital in Germany before the second epidemic wave, and it was far from a level that confers herd immunity. Self-perceived risk of infection is often overestimated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marietta Neumann
- Department of Paediatrics, Altona Children's Hospital, Universität Hamburg, Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus, Bleickenallee 38, 22763, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Annette Aigner
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eileen Rossow
- Department of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Altona Children's Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Schwarz
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Altona Children's Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Marschallek
- Department of Paediatrics, Altona Children's Hospital, Universität Hamburg, Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus, Bleickenallee 38, 22763, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Steinmann
- Labor Dr. Fenner and Colleagues, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Paediatrics, Altona Children's Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Stücker
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Altona Children's Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingo Koenigs
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Altona Children's Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philippe Stock
- Department of Paediatrics, Altona Children's Hospital, Universität Hamburg, Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus, Bleickenallee 38, 22763, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Li T, Qi X, Li Q, Tang W, Su K, Jia M, Yang W, Xia Y, Xiong Y, Qi L, Feng L. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Health Workers. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101104. [PMID: 34696212 PMCID: PMC8537688 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled effect of influenza vaccinations for health workers (HWs). Nine databases were screened to identify randomized clinical trials and comparative observational studies that reported the effect of influenza vaccination among HWs. The risk ratio (RR), standardized mean difference, and 95% confidence interval (CI) were employed to study the effect size using fixed/random-effect models. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted accordingly. Publication bias was examined. Sixteen studies (involving 7971 HWs from nine countries) were included after a comprehensive literature search. The combined RR regarding the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza was 0.36 (95% CI: 0.25 to 0.54), the incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.45 to 1.06), the absenteeism rate was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.46 to 0.86), and the integrated standardized mean difference of workdays lost was −0.18 (95% CI: −0.28 to −0.07) days/person. The subgroup analysis indicated that vaccination significantly decreases the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza in different countries, study populations, and average-age vaccinated groups. Influenza vaccinations could effectively reduce the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza, absenteeism rates, and workdays lost among HWs. It is advisable, therefore, to improve the coverage and increase the influenza vaccination count among HWs, which may benefit both workers and medical institutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Li
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
| | - Xiaoling Qi
- Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China;
| | - Qin Li
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
| | - Wenge Tang
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
| | - Kun Su
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
| | - Mengmeng Jia
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; (M.J.); (W.Y.)
| | - Weizhong Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; (M.J.); (W.Y.)
| | - Yu Xia
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
| | - Yu Xiong
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
| | - Li Qi
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China; (T.L.); (Q.L.); (W.T.); (K.S.); (Y.X.); (Y.X.)
- Correspondence: (L.Q.); (L.F.)
| | - Luzhao Feng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; (M.J.); (W.Y.)
- Correspondence: (L.Q.); (L.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Nienhaus A. COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany-An Update. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179185. [PMID: 34501773 PMCID: PMC8431697 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This is an update of our report on COVID-19 among health and social welfare workers in Germany. Workers' compensation claims for occupational diseases (OD) are recorded in a standardized database of the Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW). We analyzed which workers in the health and welfare sector are most often affected by COVID-19. For the different sectors in healthcare and welfare, the number of full-time workers is known (FTW), allowing for calculation of claim rates by sector. The period for data presentation was extended to 3 May 2021 for this update. The cumulative number of COVID-19 claims increased from 4398 by May 2020 to 84,728 by May 2021. The majority of claims concern nursing homes (39.5%) and hospitals (37.6%). Nursing is the profession most often concerned (68.8%). Relative to the number of workers, the claim rate is highest for hospitals (41.3/1000 FTW). Seventy-seven workers died (0.09%) and three hundred and seventy-five (0.4%) were hospitalized. A total of 65,693 (77.5%) claims were assessed, and for 81.4% of these claims, the OD was confirmed. The number of health and welfare workers affected by COVID-19 is high. With most HW vaccinated by now in Germany, within the next few weeks or months, the number of new cases should decrease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert Nienhaus
- Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; ; Tel.: +49-40-20207-3220
- Department for Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Health Sciences (AGG), Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Herstein JJ, Gibbs SG, Kupzyk KA, Beam EL. Using a Critical Safety Behavior Scoring Tool for Just-in-Time Training for N95 Respirator Use. Workplace Health Saf 2021; 70:31-36. [PMID: 34425725 DOI: 10.1177/21650799211031169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, health care workers (HCWs) have exhibited marginal adherence to proper N95 respirator use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs with little to no prior training on N95 respirator use are relying on N95s as their primary respiratory protection. There is a need for simple, effective, and easily implementable just-in-time training (JITT) interventions to improve N95 respirator-related safety behavior. This study investigated two JITT interventions. METHODS A pilot experimental pretest posttest study design was used to evaluate two training interventions for N95 respirator donning/doffing performance at a Midwestern hospital system. HCW participants were randomly assigned to an intervention: one used a 4-minute instructional video alone, while the other used the same video but added a video reflection intervention (participant watched and scored a video of their own performance). All performances were scored using a 10-point Critical Safety Behavior Scoring Tool (CSBST). FINDINGS Sixty-two HCWs participated (32 video alone, 30 video reflection). The two groups' CSBST scores were not significantly different at pretest. Averaged participant scores on the CSBST improved immediately following both interventions. Scores were significantly higher on the posttest for the reflective practice intervention (p<.05). Years of experience and frequency of N95 respirator use did not predict pre or post scores. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE We provide evidence to support the use of a time-efficient JITT intervention to improve HCW N95 respirator donning/doffing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Hospital safety professionals should consider this type of training for HCWs required to wear respiratory protection.
Collapse
|
29
|
Żółtowska B, Barańska I, Szczerbińska K, Różańska A, Mydel K, Sydor W, Heczko PB, Jachowicz E, Wójkowska-Mach J. Preparedness of Health Care Workers and Medical Students in University Hospital in Krakow for COVID-19 Pandemic within the CRACoV Project. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3487. [PMID: 34441784 PMCID: PMC8396826 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10163487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Health care workers' (HCWs) knowledge of and compliance with personal protective procedures is a key for patients' and personnel safety. The aim of this study was to assess which factors are associated with higher self-evaluations of training on infection prevention and control (IPC) and higher self-assessment of IPC practices used by HCWs regarding COVID-19 in University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, in January 2021. Material and methods This was an online survey on the preparedness for COVID-19 epidemic of medical/non-medical staff and medical students. Questions included in the survey concerned participants' socio-demographic characteristics, hospital staff involvement in the training, knowledge about the hand hygiene, and adherence to IPC measures. Knowledge and Performance Index (K&PI) based on selected questions was constructed for to reflect both subjective (self-evaluation) of preparedness and objective IPC knowledge and skills of HCWs participated in the IPC training. Results A total of 1412 health care workers, including 129 medical students, participated in the study. The largest group, 53.6%, was made up of nurses and paramedics. Age of respondents significantly correlated with knowledge of IPC and with K&PI. The mean age of workers with high K&PI was 42.39 ± 12.53, and among those with low, 39.71 ± 13.10, p < 0.001. 51% UHK workers participated in IPC training, but 11.3% of physicians, 28.8% of other HCWs, and 55.8% of students did not know the IPC standard precaution. Most participants, 72.3%, felt that they had received sufficient training; however, 45.8% of students declined this. There was no correlation between self-reported preparedness and the K&PI, indicating that self-reported preparedness was inadequate for knowledge and skills. Nurses and paramedics assessed their knowledge most accurately. Participants with low K&PI and high subjective evaluation constituted a substantial group in all categories. Students least often overestimated (23.8%) and most often (9.6%) underestimated their knowledge and skills. Conclusions Our study revealed inadequate IPC practice, especially as it refers to the training programme. We confirmed the urgent need of including theory and practice of IPC in curricula of health professions' training in order to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary not only for future pandemic situations but also for everyday work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Żółtowska
- Center for Innovative Therapy, Clinical Research Coordination Center, University Hospital in Krakow, Poland 2-st, 30-688 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Ilona Barańska
- Laboratory for Research on Aging Society, Department of Sociology of Medicine, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Krakow, Poland; (I.B.); (K.S.)
| | - Katarzyna Szczerbińska
- Laboratory for Research on Aging Society, Department of Sociology of Medicine, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Krakow, Poland; (I.B.); (K.S.)
| | - Anna Różańska
- Chair of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (A.R.); (P.B.H.); (E.J.); (J.W.-M.)
| | - Krzysztof Mydel
- Deputy Director for Coordination and Development, University Hospital in Krakow, 30-688 Krakow Poland;
| | - Wojciech Sydor
- Center for Innovative Therapy, Clinical Research Coordination Center, University Hospital in Krakow, Poland 2-st, 30-688 Krakow, Poland;
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr B. Heczko
- Chair of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (A.R.); (P.B.H.); (E.J.); (J.W.-M.)
| | - Estera Jachowicz
- Chair of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (A.R.); (P.B.H.); (E.J.); (J.W.-M.)
| | - Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach
- Chair of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Kraków, Poland; (A.R.); (P.B.H.); (E.J.); (J.W.-M.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mojtahedzadeh N, Neumann FA, Rohwer E, Nienhaus A, Augustin M, Harth V, Zyriax BC, Mache S. The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8213. [PMID: 34360505 PMCID: PMC8346166 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected outpatient caregivers in a particular way. While the German population becomes increasingly older, the number of people in need of care has also increased. The health and, thus, the health behaviour of employees in the outpatient care become relevant to maintain working capacity and performance in the long term. The aims of the study were (1) to examine the health behaviour and (2) to explore pandemic-related perceived change of health behaviour among outpatient caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a mixed-methods study, 15 problem-centred interviews and a web-based cross-sectional survey (N = 171) were conducted with outpatient caregivers working in Northern Germany. Interviewees reported partially poorer eating behaviour, higher coffee consumption, lower physical activity, skipping breaks more often and less sleep duration and quality during the pandemic. Some quantitative findings indicate the same tendencies. A majority of participants were smokers and reported higher stress perception due to the pandemic. Preventive behaviour, such as wearing PPE or hand hygiene, was increased among interviewees compared to the pre-pandemic period. Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively affect outpatient caregivers' health behaviour, e.g., eating/drinking behaviour and physical activity. Therefore, employers in outpatient care should develop workplace health promotion measures to support their employees in conducting more health-promoting behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Mojtahedzadeh
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany; (N.M.); (E.R.); (V.H.)
| | - Felix Alexander Neumann
- Midwifery Science—Health Services Research and Prevention, Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.A.N.); (B.-C.Z.)
| | - Elisabeth Rohwer
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany; (N.M.); (E.R.); (V.H.)
- Midwifery Science—Health Services Research and Prevention, Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.A.N.); (B.-C.Z.)
| | - Albert Nienhaus
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany;
- Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Augustin
- Competence Center for Health Services Research in Vascular Diseases (CVvasc), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Volker Harth
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany; (N.M.); (E.R.); (V.H.)
| | - Birgit-Christiane Zyriax
- Midwifery Science—Health Services Research and Prevention, Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.A.N.); (B.-C.Z.)
| | - Stefanie Mache
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany; (N.M.); (E.R.); (V.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Coltart CEM, Wells D, Sutherland E, Fowler A. National cross-sectional survey of 1.14 million NHS staff SARS-CoV-2 serology tests: a comparison of NHS staff with regional community seroconversion rates. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e049703. [PMID: 34257096 PMCID: PMC8282419 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An initial report of findings from 1.14 million SARS CoV-2 serology tests in National Health Service (NHS) staff to compare NHS staff seroconversion with community seroconversion rates at a regional level. DESIGN A national cross-sectional survey. SETTING A SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing programme offered across all NHS Trusts. PARTICIPANTS 1.14 million NHS staff. INTERVENTION SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing was used to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in NHS staff by region, compared with community seroprevalence as determined by the COVID-19 Infection Survey (Office for National Statistics). We also explored seroprevalence trends by regional COVID-19 activity, using regional death rates as a proxy for COVID-19 'activity'. RESULTS 1 146 310 tests were undertaken on NHS staff between 26 May and 31 August 2020. 186 897 NHS tests were positive giving a seroconversion rate of 16.3% (95% CI 16.2% to 16.4%), in contrast to the national community seroconversion rate of 5.9% (95% CI 5.3% to 6.6%). There was significant geographical regional variation, which mirrored the trends seen in community prevalence rates. NHS staff were infected at a higher rate than the general population (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.8 to 3.5). NHS seroconversion by regional death rate suggested a trend towards higher seroconversion rates in the areas with higher COVID-19 'activity'. CONCLUSIONS This is the first cross-sectional survey assessing the risk of COVID-19 disease in healthcare workers at a national level. It is the largest study of its kind. It suggests that NHS staff have a significantly higher rate of COVID-19 seroconversion compared with the general population in England, with regional variation across the country which matches the background population prevalence trends. There was also a trend towards higher seroconversion rates in areas which had experienced high COVID-19 clinical activity. This work has global significance in terms of the value of such a testing programme and contributing to the understanding of healthcare worker seroconversion at a national level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia E M Coltart
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Chief Medical Officer's Office, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - David Wells
- COVID-19 Testing cell, NHS England and NHS Improvement, London, UK
| | - Esther Sutherland
- COVID-19 Infection Survey, Office for National Statistics, Newport, UK
| | - Aidan Fowler
- Chief Medical Officer's Office, Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
- COVID-19 Testing cell, NHS England and NHS Improvement, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Fan J, Senthanar S, Macpherson RA, Sharpe K, Peters CE, Koehoorn M, McLeod CB. An Umbrella Review of the Work and Health Impacts of Working in an Epidemic/Pandemic Environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18136828. [PMID: 34202087 PMCID: PMC8297139 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This umbrella review of reviews examined the evidence on the work and health impacts of working in an epidemic/pandemic environment, factors associated with these impacts, and risk mitigation or intervention strategies that address these factors. We examined review articles published in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase between 2000 and 2020. Data extracted from the included reviews were analyzed using a narrative synthesis. The search yielded 1524 unique citations, of which 31 were included. Included studies were focused on health care workers and the risk of infection to COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, mental health outcomes, and health care workers’ willingness to respond during a public health event. Reviews identified a variety of individual, social, and organizational factors associated with these work and health outcomes as well as risk mitigation strategies that addressed study outcomes. Only a few reviews examined intervention strategies in the workplace such as physical distancing and quarantine, and none included long-term outcomes of exposure or work during an epidemic/pandemic. Findings suggest a number of critical research and evidence gaps, including the need for reviews on occupational groups potentially exposed to or impacted by the negative work and health effects of COVID-19 in addition to health care workers, the long-term consequences of transitioning to the post-COVID-19 economy on work and health, and research with an equity or social determinants of health lens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Fan
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (R.A.M.); (K.S.); (M.K.); (C.B.M.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Sonja Senthanar
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (R.A.M.); (K.S.); (M.K.); (C.B.M.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Robert A. Macpherson
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (R.A.M.); (K.S.); (M.K.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Kimberly Sharpe
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (R.A.M.); (K.S.); (M.K.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Cheryl E. Peters
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
- Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3C3, Canada
- CAREX Canada, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
| | - Mieke Koehoorn
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (R.A.M.); (K.S.); (M.K.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Christopher B. McLeod
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (R.A.M.); (K.S.); (M.K.); (C.B.M.)
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON M5G 1S5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mettelman RC, Thomas PG. Human Susceptibility to Influenza Infection and Severe Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a038711. [PMID: 31964647 PMCID: PMC8091954 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a038711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are a persistent threat to global human health. Increased susceptibility to infection and the risk factors associated with progression to severe influenza-related disease are determined by a multitude of viral, host, and environmental conditions. Decades of epidemiologic research have broadly defined high-risk groups, while new genomic association studies have identified specific host factors impacting an individual's response to influenza. Here, we review and highlight both human susceptibility to influenza infection and the conditions that lead to severe influenza disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Mettelman
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Paul G Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Schneider J, Talamonti D, Gibson B, Forshaw M. Factors mediating the psychological well-being of healthcare workers responding to global pandemics: A systematic review. J Health Psychol 2021; 27:1875-1896. [PMID: 33913356 PMCID: PMC9272518 DOI: 10.1177/13591053211012759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reviewed mediators of psychological well-being among healthcare workers responding to pandemics. After registration on PROSPERO, a systematic review was performed in four databases and 39 studies were included. Worse mental health outcomes, such as stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety and burnout were related to demographic characteristics, contact with infected patients and poor perceived support. Self-efficacy, coping ability, altruism and organisational support were protective factors. Despite limitations in the quality of available evidence, this review highlights the prevalence of poor mental health in healthcare workers and proposes target mediators for future interventions.
Collapse
|
35
|
Choi HI, Ko HJ, Song JE, Park JY, Kim JH. Safety and Effectiveness of an In-Hospital Screening Station for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Response to the Massive Community Outbreak. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021; 14:1637-1647. [PMID: 33907481 PMCID: PMC8064719 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s287213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the results of operating an in-hospital coronavirus disease 2019 screening station on an outpatient basis and to identify the effectiveness and necessity of such a screening station. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study included 1345 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at an in-hospital screening station on an outpatient basis. The subjects were healthcare workers (HCWs) with suspected COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to patients with confirmed COVID-19, caregivers at the hospital for complete enumeration, and patients who were scheduled to be admitted to a nonrestricted area in the hospital or to visit for outpatient treatment, but had suspected COVID-19 symptoms. The subjects were divided and compared as follows: HCW versus non-HCW groups and RT-PCR positive versus negative groups. Results A total of 140 had symptoms, 291 wanted to be tested, and 664 were asymptomatic but were screened. Seven subjects had positive results for COVID-19. Compared with the non-HCWs, the HCWs were younger and had a lower rate of underlying medical conditions. In addition, there were more women, individuals with exposure to confirmed cases, and individuals with symptoms or those who just wanted to be tested. The frequency of all symptoms was high among the HCWs. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the HCWs were significantly associated with the presence of symptoms, having an odds ratio of 23.317 (confidence interval, 15.142-35.907L; P < 0.001). The positive group had a high rate of exposure to patients with confirmed COVID-19 and had more subjects with symptoms or those who wanted to be tested. Conclusion In-hospital screening stations are a relatively safe way to protect and support HCWs and to reduce and manage the spread of infection within the hospital effectively during an outbreak in the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-In Choi
- Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Hae-Jin Ko
- Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Song
- Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
Doctors experience high levels of work stress even under normal circumstances, but many would be reluctant to disclose mental health difficulties or seek help for them, with stigma an often-cited reason. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis places additional pressure on doctors and on the healthcare system in general and research shows that such pressure brings a greater risk of psychological distress for doctors. For this reason, we argue that the authorities and healthcare executives must show strong leadership and support for doctors and their families during the COVID-19 outbreak and call for efforts to reduce mental health stigma in clinical workplaces. This can be facilitated by deliberately adding 'healthcare staff mental health support process' as an ongoing agenda item to high-level management planning meetings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Boyda
- Department of Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, UK
| | | | - Tariq Hassan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Guillén E, Buissonnière M, Lee CT. From lionizing to protecting health care workers during and after COVID-19-systems solutions for human tragedies. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 36:20-25. [PMID: 33647178 PMCID: PMC8013553 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During the COVID‐19 pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) have been lauded as heroes, yet both before and during the pandemic, they lacked the protections needed to keep them safe. We summarize data on HCW infections and deaths during previous epidemics, the costs of the failure to protect them, and provide recommendations for strengthening HCW protections by investments in and implementation of infection prevention and control and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, training and career development, and national and global monitoring of HCW infections. We must move from placing individuals at undue risk to accepting collective responsibility and accountability for the well‐being of our HCWs and take concrete actions to protect HCWs who risk their lives to protect patients and populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Guillén
- Prevent Epidemics, Resolve to Save Lives, an Initiative of Vital Strategies, New York, USA
| | - Marine Buissonnière
- Prevent Epidemics, Resolve to Save Lives, an Initiative of Vital Strategies, New York, USA
| | - Christopher T Lee
- Prevent Epidemics, Resolve to Save Lives, an Initiative of Vital Strategies, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tzamalis A, Karafotaki K, Karipidi K, Diafas A, Mataftsi A, Tsinopoulos I, Ziakas N. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on cataract surgery: a surgeons' perspective. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 104:705-710. [PMID: 33689644 DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1880866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CLINICAL RELEVANCE In the last months, the whole world is dealing with an unprecedented public health crisis due to COVID-19 outbreak. Consequently, many governments have implemented lockdowns on a national level, affecting, among others, ophthalmic surgical practice in a globe scale. BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of surgical theatre lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic on the surgical performance of cataract surgeons. METHODS Intraoperative complications and surgical time of the first 160 cataract surgeries performed by eight consultants (20 cases each) after a two-month lockdown were recorded and analysed in a cross-sectional study. The results were plotted against the last 30 cases of each surgeon before the implementation of the lockdown (240 cases). Cataract surgeons were asked to rate their subjective perspective and difficulties faced after re-opening through a questionnaire. RESULTS The average duration of all surgeries after the lockdown was 19.1 ± 6.2 minutes showing a 14% increase compared to the one before the lockdown (16.8 ± 5.1 minutes, p = 0.0001). The complications rate was 2.09% (5/240 cases) before the abstention and 3.12% (5/160 cases) after the abstention not yielding any statistically significant difference (p = 0.74). When complicated surgeries were excluded from the analysis, surgical time was still higher after the lockdown (18.9 ± 5.9 minutes) than before (16.6 ± 5.0 minutes, p < 0.0001). 37.5% of consultants (3/8) stated that the two-month abstention from cataract surgeries has affected their surgical skills somewhat or a lot, while 62.5% (5/8) reported being more careful in their first cases after the lockdown. Most complications occurred in the hands of one surgeon who stated to be very anxious upon restart. CONCLUSION The operating theatres' lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic did not seem to affect the intraoperative complications rate in cataract surgery. A slight increase of surgical duration was noted, while most surgeons reported being more careful upon restart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios Tzamalis
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Karafotaki
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Karipidi
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Asterios Diafas
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Asimina Mataftsi
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsinopoulos
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Ziakas
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Busch IM, Moretti F, Mazzi M, Wu AW, Rimondini M. What We Have Learned from Two Decades of Epidemics and Pandemics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Psychological Burden of Frontline Healthcare Workers. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2021; 90:178-190. [PMID: 33524983 PMCID: PMC8018214 DOI: 10.1159/000513733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In light of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and potential future infectious disease outbreaks, a comprehensive understanding of the negative effects of epidemics and pandemics on healthcare workers' mental health could inform appropriate support interventions. Thus, we aimed to synthesize and quantify the psychological and psychosomatic symptoms among frontline medical staff. We searched four databases up to March 19, 2020 and additional literature, with daily search alerts set up until October 26, 2020. Studies reporting psychological and/or psychosomatic symptoms of healthcare workers caring for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome, H1N1, Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome, or COVID-19 were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently conducted the search, study selection, quality appraisal, data extraction, and synthesis and involved a third reviewer in case of disagreement. We used random effects modeling to estimate the overall prevalence rates of psychological/psychosomatic symptoms and the I2 statistic. We included 86 studies, reporting data from 75,991 participants. Frontline staff showed a wide range of symptoms, including concern about transmitting the virus to the family (60.39%, 95% CI 42.53-76.96), perceived stress (56.77%, 95% CI 34.21-77.95), concerns about own health (45.97%, 95% CI 31.08-61.23), sleeping difficulties (39.88%, 95% CI 27.70-52.72), burnout (31.81%, 95% CI 13.32-53.89), symptoms of depression (25.72%, 95% CI 18.34-33.86), symptoms of anxiety (25.36%, 95% CI 17.90-33.64), symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (24.51%, 95% CI 18.16-31.46), mental health issues (23.11%, 95% CI 15.98-31.10), and symptoms of somatization (14.68%, 95% CI 10.67-19.18). We found consistent evidence for the pervasive and profound impact of large-scale outbreaks on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers. As the CO-VID-19 crisis continues to unfold, guaranteeing easy access to support structures for the entire healthcare workforce is vitally important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isolde M. Busch
- Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Moretti
- Direzione Medica di Presidio Ospedale di Legnago, AULSS 9 Scaligera, Legnago, Italy
| | - Mariangela Mazzi
- Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Albert W. Wu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michela Rimondini
- Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
SANTANGELO OMARENZO, PROVENZANO SANDRO, FIRENZE ALBERTO. Factors influencing flu vaccination in nursing students at Palermo University. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2021; 61:E563-E567. [PMID: 33628962 PMCID: PMC7888385 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.4.1426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to ascertain the determinants of nursing students' compliance with flu vaccination. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous paper questionnaire was administered to students attending the 3-year nursing course at the University of Palermo. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) are presented. RESULTS 403 nursing students (65% female) completed the questionnaire (response rate 98.5%). The average age of the respondents was 22.0 years (SD ± 3.04). The dependent variable: "In the next season, do you intend to be vaccinated against flu? Yes", displayed a statistically significant association with the following independent variables: "year of study: second" (aOR 2.66), "year of study: third" (aOR 1.72), "Perceived health status: medium-high" (aOR 6.61), "Did you get vaccinated against seasonal flu last year? Yes" (aOR 22.47). CONCLUSIONS Although nursing students are not yet health professionals, they spend part of their time in health facilities for their clinical training and will be the health workers of the future. Involving nursing students in influenza vaccination campaigns can also help them take better care of themselves and their patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - SANDRO PROVENZANO
- Correspondence: Sandro Provenzano, Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute, Materno Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica d’Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”, via del Vespro 133, 90127 Palermo, Italy - Tel. +39 091 6553641. Fax +39 091 6553697 - E-mail:
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Nowak D, Ochmann U, Brandenburg S, Nienhaus A, Woltjen M. [COVID-19 as an occupational disease or work-related accident: Considerations regarding insurance cover and reporting obligation in the statutory accident insurance]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2021; 146:198-204. [PMID: 33395708 PMCID: PMC7869037 DOI: 10.1055/a-1341-7867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Eine COVID-19-Erkrankung kann Berufskrankheit oder Arbeitsunfall sein. Eine Anerkennung als Berufskrankheit 3101 kann erfolgen, wenn die Erkrankung bei versicherten Personen auftritt, die infolge der Ausübung ihrer beruflichen Tätigkeit in einem von vier Bereichen einer gegenüber der Allgemeinbevölkerung wesentlich erhöhten Infektionsgefahr ausgesetzt waren: (1) Gesundheitsdienst, (2) Wohlfahrtspflege, (3) Laboratorium oder (4) bei anderer Tätigkeit mit ähnlich wie bei (1) bis (3) erhöhter Infektionsgefahr. Der Versicherungsschutz bezieht sich auf Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer, Selbständige – soweit nicht befreit – und Ehrenamtliche. Gesetzlich meldepflichtig ist die COVID-19-Erkrankung, meist in Verbindung mit zeitnahem SARS-CoV-2-Erregernachweis. Eine COVID-19-Erkrankung kann dann als Arbeitsunfall vorliegen, wenn sich der intensive und direkte Kontakt zu infizierten Personen nicht bestimmungsgemäß wie bei der Berufskrankheit 3101, sondern anderweitig situativ aus der versicherten Tätigkeit ergibt.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Nowak
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, LMU, Klinikum München.,Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) München, Mitglied im Deutschen Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL)
| | - Uta Ochmann
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, LMU, Klinikum München.,Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) München, Mitglied im Deutschen Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL)
| | - Stephan Brandenburg
- Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW) Hamburg
| | - Albert Nienhaus
- Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW) Hamburg.,Kompetenzzentrum für Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung bei Pflegeberufen (CVcare), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Michael Woltjen
- Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW) Hamburg
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Shane HL, Othumpangat S, Marshall NB, Blachere F, Lukomska E, Weatherly LM, Baur R, Noti JD, Anderson SE. Topical exposure to triclosan inhibits Th1 immune responses and reduces T cells responding to influenza infection in mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244436. [PMID: 33373420 PMCID: PMC7771851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers concurrently may be at a higher risk of developing respiratory infections and allergic disease, such as asthma, than the general public. Increased incidence of allergic diseases is thought to be caused, in part, due to occupational exposure to chemicals that induce or augment Th2 immune responses. However, whether exposure to these chemical antimicrobials can influence immune responses to respiratory pathogens is unknown. Here, we use a BALB/c murine model to test if the Th2-promoting antimicrobial chemical triclosan influences immune responses to influenza A virus. Mice were dermally exposed to 2% triclosan for 7 days prior to infection with a sub-lethal dose of mouse adapted PR8 A(H1N1) virus (50 pfu); triclosan exposure continued until 10 days post infection (dpi). Infected mice exposed to triclosan did not show an increase in morbidity or mortality, and viral titers were unchanged. Assessment of T cell responses at 10 dpi showed a decrease in the number of total and activated (CD44hi) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at the site of infection (BAL and lung) in triclosan exposed mice compared to controls. Influenza-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were assessed using MHCI and MHCII tetramers, with reduced populations, although not reaching statistical significance at these sites following triclosan exposure. Reductions in the Th1 transcription factor T-bet were seen in both activated and tetramer+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the lungs of triclosan exposed infected mice, indicating reduced Th1 polarization and providing a potential mechanism for numerical reduction in T cells. Overall, these results indicate that the immune environment induced by triclosan exposure has the potential to influence the developing immune response to a respiratory viral infection and may have implications for healthcare workers who may be at an increased risk for developing infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hillary L. Shane
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sreekumar Othumpangat
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Nikki B. Marshall
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Francoise Blachere
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Ewa Lukomska
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Weatherly
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Rachel Baur
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - John D. Noti
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Stacey E. Anderson
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wilkason C, Lee C, Sauer LM, Nuzzo J, McClelland A. Assessing and Reducing Risk to Healthcare Workers in Outbreaks. Health Secur 2020; 18:205-211. [PMID: 32559156 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2019.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic was devastating in many respects, not least of which was the impact on healthcare systems and their health workforce. Healthcare workers-including physicians, clinical officers, nurses, midwives, and community health workers-serve on the front lines of efforts to detect, control, and stop the spread of disease. Risk mitigation strategies, including infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, are meant to keep healthcare workers safe from occupational exposure to disease and to protect patients from healthcare-associated infections. Despite ongoing IPC efforts, steady rates of both healthcare-associated and healthcare worker infections signal that these mitigation measures have been inadequate at all levels and present a potential critical point of failure in efforts to limit and control the spread of outbreaks. The fact that healthcare workers continue to be infected or are a source of infection during public health emergencies reveals a weakness in global preparedness efforts. Identification of key points of failure-both within the health system and during emergencies-is the first step to mitigating risk of exposure. A 2-pronged solution is proposed to address long-term gaps in the health system that impact infection control and emergency response: prioritization of IPC for epidemic preparedness at a global level and development and use of rapid risk assessments to prioritize risk mitigation strategies for IPC. Without global support, evidence, and systems in place to support the lives of healthcare workers, the lives of their patients and the health system in general are also at risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colby Wilkason
- Colby Wilkason, MPH, is Technical Advisor for Prevent Epidemics
| | - Christopher Lee
- Christopher T. Lee, MD, is Senior Technical Advisor for Prevent Epidemics
| | - Lauren M Sauer
- Lauren M. Sauer, MS, is Director of Operations and an Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Jennifer Nuzzo
- Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH, SM, is a Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Amanda McClelland
- Amanda McClelland, MPHTM, is Senior Vice President; all are at Resolve to Save Lives, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wang X, Kulkarni D, Dozier M, Hartnup K, Paget J, Campbell H, Nair H. Influenza vaccination strategies for 2020-21 in the context of COVID-19. J Glob Health 2020. [DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.0201102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
45
|
Wang X, Kulkarni D, Dozier M, Hartnup K, Paget J, Campbell H, Nair H. Influenza vaccination strategies for 2020-21 in the context of COVID-19. J Glob Health 2020. [DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.020110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
46
|
Wang X, Kulkarni D, Dozier M, Hartnup K, Paget J, Campbell H, Nair H. Influenza vaccination strategies for 2020-21 in the context of COVID-19. J Glob Health 2020; 10:021102. [PMID: 33312512 PMCID: PMC7719353 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.021102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza vaccination prevents people from influenza-related diseases and thereby mitigates the burden on national health systems when COVID-19 circulates and public health measures controlling respiratory viral infections are relaxed. However, it is challenging to maintain influenza vaccine services as the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to disrupt vaccination programmes in many countries during the 2020/21 winter. We summarise available recommendations and strategies on influenza vaccination, specifically the changes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We searched websites and databases of national and international public health agencies (focusing on Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa). We also contacted key influenza immunization focal points and experts in respective countries and organizations including WHO and ECDC. RESULTS Available global and regional guidance emphasises the control of COVID-19 infection in immunisation settings by implementing multiple measures, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene practice, appropriate use of personal protective equipment by health care workers and establishing separate vaccination sessions for medically vulnerable people. The guidance also emphasises using alternative models or settings (eg, outdoor areas and pharmacies) for vaccine delivery, communication strategies and developing registry and catch-up programmes to achieve high coverage. Several novel national strategies have been adopted, such as combining influenza vaccination with other medical visits and setting up outdoor and drive through vaccination clinics. Several Southern Hemisphere countries have increased influenza vaccine coverage substantially for the 2020 influenza season. Most of the countries included in our review have planned a universal or near universal influenza vaccination for health care workers, or have made influenza vaccination for health care workers mandatory. Australia has requested that all workers and visitors in long term care facilities receive influenza vaccine. The UK has planned to expand the influenza programme to provide free influenza vaccine for the first time to all adults 50-64 years of age, people on the shielded patient list and their household members and children in the first year of secondary school. South Africa has additionally prioritised people with hypertension for influenza vaccination. CONCLUSIONS This review of influenza vaccination guidance and strategies should support strategy development on influenza vaccination in the context of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Durga Kulkarni
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marshall Dozier
- Information Services, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Hartnup
- Information Services, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John Paget
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harry Campbell
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Harish Nair
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Occupational Respiratory Infections. Clin Chest Med 2020; 41:739-751. [PMID: 33153691 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Occupational respiratory infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Transmission in occupational settings can occur from other humans, animals, or the environment, and occur in various occupations and industries. In this article, we describe 4 occupationally acquired respiratory infections at the focus of NIOSH investigations over the last decade: tuberculosis (TB), influenza, psittacosis, and coccidioidomycosis. We highlight the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures.
Collapse
|
48
|
Fortaleza CR, de Souza LDR, Rúgolo JM, Fortaleza CMCB. COVID-19: What we talk about when we talk about masks. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20200527. [PMID: 33174963 PMCID: PMC7670747 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0527-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though most current recommendations include the general use of masks to prevent community transmission of SARS-Cov-2, the effectiveness of this measure is still debated. The studies on this policy include physical filtering tests with inanimate microparticles, randomized clinical trials, observational studies, ecological analyses, and even computational modeling of epidemics. Much of the so-called evidence is inferred from studies on different respiratory viruses and epidemiological settings. Heterogeneity is a major factor limiting the generalization of inferences. In this article, we reviewed the empirical and rational bases of mask use and how to understand these recommendations compared to other policies of social distancing, restrictions on non-essential services, and lockdown. We conclude that recent studies suggest a synergistic effect of the use of masks and social distancing rather than opposing effects of the two recommendations. Developing social communication approaches that clarify the need to combine different strategies is a challenge for public health authorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Ravagnani Fortaleza
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Hospital das Clínicas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Programa de Pós-graduação em doenças infecciosas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Lenice do Rosário de Souza
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Programa de Pós-graduação em doenças infecciosas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Departamento de doenças infecciosas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Juliana Machado Rúgolo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Hospital das Clínicas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Carlos Magno Castelo Branco Fortaleza
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Programa de Pós-graduação em doenças infecciosas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Departamento de doenças infecciosas, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Influenza Vaccination Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in South Al Batinah Governorate in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040661. [PMID: 33172064 PMCID: PMC7712351 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Seasonal influenza infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important target group for vaccination against influenza due to their increased risk of infection and their potential to transmit the infection to their patients, families and communities. The aim of this study was to assess the potential hesitancy and its associated factors towards influenza vaccination amongst HCWs in the South Al Batinah governorate in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 390 HCWs with direct or indirect patient contact was conducted in May and June 2019 using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between HCW characteristics and vaccination status were examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify the likelihood of vaccination against seasonal influenza among HCWs. Results: Overall, 60% of HCWs were vaccinated in the 2018/2019 season; vaccine uptake among nurses was 52% and uptake was higher among women. Self-protection and protection of the community were the most cited reasons for vaccine acceptance, with side effects being the main reason for hesitancy. Vaccinated respondents had a higher mean knowledge score (7.18; standard deviation SD: 2.14) than unvaccinated respondents (6.30; SD: 2.2). Odds of vaccination were highest among respondents who believed influenza vaccine should be mandatory for HCWs (Odds ratio (OR): 2.04 [1.30–3.18]), those working in the general medicine, emergency medicine, or intensive care units (OR: 1.92 [1.20–3.10]), nurses and doctors (OR: 1.75 [1.09–2.79]) and those who believe that HCWs should receive an influenza vaccine (OR: 1.35 [1.07–2.77]). Conclusions: The study provides valuable insights into the enablers and barriers of influenza vaccination practices among HCWs and may inform interventions to increase acceptance of vaccination.
Collapse
|
50
|
Neufeind J, Wenchel R, Boedeker B, Wicker S, Wichmann O. Monitoring influenza vaccination coverage and acceptance among health-care workers in German hospitals - results from three seasons. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 17:664-672. [PMID: 33124954 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1801072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Health-care workers are an important vaccination target group, they are more frequently exposed to infectious diseases and can contribute to nosocomial infections. We established a country-wide online monitoring system to estimate influenza vaccine uptake and its determinants among German hospital staff (OKaPII). The online questionnaire included items on vaccination behavior and reasons for and against influenza vaccination. After a pilot phase in 2016, a country-wide roll-out was performed in 2017. Questions on measles (2018) and hepatitis B (2019) vaccination status were added in subsequent years. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 in total 52, 125 and 171 hospitals with 5 808, 17 891 and 27 163 employees participated, respectively. Influenza vaccination coverage in season 2016/17 and 2017/18 was similar (39.5% and 39.3%) while it increased by 12% in 2018/19 (52.3%). Uptake was higher for physicians than for nurses. Self-protection was the most common reason for influenza vaccination. While physicians mainly identified constraints as reasons for being unvaccinated, nurses mainly referred to a lack of vaccine confidence. Of the hospital staff, 87.0% were vaccinated against measles, 6.3% claimed to be protected due to natural infection; 97.7% were vaccinated against hepatitis B. OKaPII shows that influenza vaccination coverage among German hospital staff is low. Occupational group-specific differences should be considered: physicians might benefit from easier access; information campaigns might increase nurses' vaccine confidence. OKaPII serves as a platform to monitor the uptake of influenza and other vaccines; it also contributes to a better understanding of vaccination behavior and planning of targeted interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Neufeind
- Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.,Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ronja Wenchel
- Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birte Boedeker
- Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Wicker
- Occupational Health Service, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ole Wichmann
- Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|