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Ghosh S, Yadav AK, Rajmohan KS, Bhalla S, Sekhawat VS, Prashant J, Dubey S, Sahai A, Rakesh CR, Chand S, Rawat MS, Gupta S, Dhawan R, Pandya K, Kotwal A. Seropositivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among healthcare workers of the Armed Forces medical services, India: A multicentric study. Med J Armed Forces India 2021; 77:S359-S365. [PMID: 34334905 PMCID: PMC8313088 DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2021.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serosurveys provide the prevalence of infection and over time will reveal the trends. The present study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers (HCWs) and to analyse various characteristics (risk factors) associated with SARS CoV-2 infection. Methods Eight government designated Corona virus disease -19 (COVID-19) hospitals were selected based on the hospital admission of patients with COVID-19 and the local epidemiological situation in the region. Multistage population proportion to size sampling was performed for the selection of HCWs. Serosurvey was conducted using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based IgG antibody test (COVID KAVACH). Bivariate and multiple logistic regression was performed to find out the factor/factors associated with the positive antibody test. Results Out of 3255 HCWs that participated in the study, data of 3253 were analysed. The seroprevalence was 19.7% (95% confidence interval: 18.5-21.3%). Factors associated were location, category of HCWs, male sex, previously tested positive by the molecular test, training on infection prevention and control, personal protective measures, handwashing technique, close contact with a patient confirmed with COVID-19, use of personal protective equipment and symptoms in the last 30 days. However, in multiple logistic regression, only location, category, previously tested positive by the molecular test and symptoms in the last 30 days were statistically significant. Conclusion HCWs are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. One in five HCWs had detectable antibodies. The presence of antibodies among HCWs may help in their placement and triage. HCWs may be advised to report early in case of any symptoms of COVID-19. Preventive measures may be targeted based on the location, with particular emphasis on ancillary workers and nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arun Kumar Yadav
- Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
| | - K S Rajmohan
- Professor (Microbiology), Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sharad Bhalla
- Professor (Microbiology), Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata, India
| | - Vikram Singh Sekhawat
- Classified Specialist (Medicine) & Endocrinologist, INHS Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai, India
| | - J Prashant
- Classified Specialist (Microbiology), Army Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences, Pune, India
| | - Sudhir Dubey
- Associate Professor (Microbiology), Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi, India
| | - Atul Sahai
- Classified Specialist (Pathology), Jammu, India
| | - C R Rakesh
- Classified Specialist (Surgery), Command Hospital (Air Force), Bengaluru, India
| | - Satish Chand
- Assistant Professor (Dermatology), Command Hospital (Air Force), Bengaluru, India
| | - M S Rawat
- Graded Specialist (Pathology), Military Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Shilpi Gupta
- Graded Specialist (Microbiology), Military Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Rakhi Dhawan
- Senior Registrar, Military Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Kapil Pandya
- Associate Professor, O/o DGAFMS, New Delhi, India
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