Risk assessment of exposure to COVID-19 virus: a cross-sectional study among health-care workers
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 17 May 2022
Issue publication date: 16 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Health-care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, which necessitates implementing transmission prevention measures in health-care delivery facilities, particularly hospitals. This study aims to assess COVID-19 risk in a health-care setting and recommend managerial strategies to cope with existing risk procedures.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs working in a general hospital in Qazvin, northwest of the country. A total of 310 employees working at different clinical and non-clinical occupational levels participated in the study. The WHO COVID-19 risk assessment tool categorised HCWs in high- or low-risk groups exposed to COVID-19 infection.
Findings
Findings revealed statistically significant relationships between workplace exposure to the COVID-19 virus and variables, including job type, performing the aerosol-generating procedure, access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and being trained on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines (p < 0.05). HCWs older than 36 years were at 8% more risk of COVID-19 virus. Being a medical doctor or delivering health-care services as a nurse were relatively 28% and 32% times more likely to be at high risk of infection than other hospital staff categories. Having inadequate access to PPE and lack of training on IPC guidelines were also key determinants of high-risk infection.
Originality/value
As most cases at risk of COVID-19 infection belonged to frontline health-care staff in older age groups, this study recommend limiting the exposure of vulnerable staff to COVID-19 patients, increasing protective measures for HCWs and providing essential information about infection control procedures.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethical Considerations: The Ethical Committee of the QUMS- Iran approved this study.Ethical code: IR.QUMS.REC.1399.495. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.Conflict of Interests. We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.Funding. None.Authors’ Contributions. All authors have been involved in the design of the study, data collection or manuscript preparation. All authors have also reviewed the manuscript. SS, SF and FS developed the original idea and study design. SS collected and managed the data. ZN, MA and SR participated in data analyses. MA and SR participated in writing the manuscript. MA participated in editing the manuscript. All authors participated in writing the manuscript and confirmed the final manuscript.The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to all stakeholders, health-care providers, and individuals who participated in this study.
Citation
Souri, S., Nejatifar, Z., Amerzadeh, M., Hashemi, F. and Rafiei, S. (2023), "Risk assessment of exposure to COVID-19 virus: a cross-sectional study among health-care workers", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 425-433. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-01-2022-0004
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited