Prevalence of COVID-19 in medical school and residency in Porto Alegre, RS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A multicentric, cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 in medical students and residents from four universities and affiliated hospitals in Brazil. METHODS: A survey about contamination risk and symptoms was sent to all participants through email and WhatsApp. Prevalence was measured by the self-report of positive polymerase chain reaction or serological test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of infection by Sars-CoV-2 was 14.9% (151/1011). The disease was more prevalent in residents and interns than in undergraduate students. Contact with an infected relative outside the hospital or with colleagues without using personal protective equipment was associated with higher contamination. Contact with patients without wearing goggles and higher weekly frequency of contact were the two factors independently associated with the infection by Coronavirus disease 2019 in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students, interns, and residents have a higher prevalence of Coronavirus disease 2019 than the general population, in which the last two groups are significantly at higher risk. Contacting patients at a higher weekly frequency increases the risk for infection. The use of goggles should be reinforced when contacting patients.

Seroprevalence and levels of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among medical students

“…No di昀昀erence was also found in the posi琀椀vity rates between male and female students according to the semester, which suggests that the loca琀椀on of classes itself was not the main site of infec琀椀on. This 昀椀nding was not observed in other Brazilian ci琀椀es when the undergraduates were compared with the medical residents 22 . It is probably due to the longer length of stay of residents in healthcare units compared with those s琀椀ll taking undergraduate courses, which increases the chance of exposure to the virus through greater contact with people known to be sick.…”

Changes in the frequency and clinical features of acute rheumatic fever in the COVID-19 era: a retrospective analysis from a single center

“…Wearing masks and complying with social distancing rules are behaviors that are generally accepted and implemented against the outbreak. Studies pointed out that the use of facial protective equipment reduces the frequency of COVID-19 infections 2 , 3 .…”