Self-reported COVID-19 among physicians: An Egyptian online study during the pandemic

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 causes a critical occupational risk to frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) who respond to the pandemic, as they are placed in environments with an increased risk of infection exposure. It is a public health priority to understand how transmission occurs to protect this vulnerable group of HCWs. This study was conducted to estimate the incidence of self-reported COVID-19 infection among physicians and its possible associated factors. Methods: An online national survey using Survey Monkey was initiated to collect sociodemographic e.g. age and sex, occupational e.g. place and duration of work, and clinical data e.g. COVID symptoms and laboratory investigations, and to describe affected physicians' diagnoses. Results: The self-reported incidence of COVID-19 infection was found to be 65.4% among studied physicians. The significant independent predictors of COVID-19 infection were smoking, working as a frontline physician, having contact with a COVID-19 case, and working for less than ten years [ARR (95% CI): 3.0(1.6-5.7), 2.3(1.4-3.8), 2.1(1.2-3.6), and 1.8(1.2-2.9); respectively]. Conclusions: The incidence of COVID-19 infection among Egyptian physicians is relatively high. Smoking, being a frontline physician, having contact with a COVID-19 case, and working for less than 10 years are all factors associated with an increased risk of infection. There should be strict application of preventive measures, periodic screening for COVID-19 for early detection and isolation of infected HCWs together with effective vaccination.

Prognosis of COVID-19 in the middle eastern population, knowns and unknowns

“…In Egypt, studies have shown that most of the infected HCWs are nurses and physicians ( Abou-ElWafa et al, 2021 ; El-Sokkary et al, 2021 ; Mostafa et al, 2021 ). This could be due to work overload, extended use/re-use, or suboptimal use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the transmission of the virus from a HCW to another.…”

“…This could be due to work overload, extended use/re-use, or suboptimal use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the transmission of the virus from a HCW to another. Environmental factors can also play a role, such as hospital air, devices, and surfaces contaminated by infectious aerosols ( Abou-ElWafa et al, 2021 ). One study conducted by Musa et al compared the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCW in different hospital departments and found that those working in emergency medicine or gastroenterology have higher rates of infection compared to those in other departments including oncology and pediatrics.…”

“…The younger age of the participating HCW with less likely accompanied comorbidities could be the reason behind this observation ( El-Raey et al, 2021 ). Healthcare facility and contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case during work were the most common sources of infection for HCWs ( Kassem et al, 2020 ; Abou-ElWafa et al, 2021 ; El-Raey et al, 2021 ; Mostafa et al, 2021 ). Interestingly, many healthcare workers admitted that they do not know exactly where they were infected ( Abou-ElWafa et al, 2021 ; El-Raey et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Healthcare facility and contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case during work were the most common sources of infection for HCWs ( Kassem et al, 2020 ; Abou-ElWafa et al, 2021 ; El-Raey et al, 2021 ; Mostafa et al, 2021 ). Interestingly, many healthcare workers admitted that they do not know exactly where they were infected ( Abou-ElWafa et al, 2021 ; El-Raey et al, 2021 ). This emphasizes on the role played by “asymptomatic silent spreaders of COVID-19″ in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from one person to another.…”

SARS-CoV-2 testing, infection and outcomes among Ontario physicians: a descriptive population-based cohort study

“…1,2 Worldwide, the reported prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among health care workers varies widely. [3][4][5][6][7][8] Numerous factors influence these estimates, including methods of ascertaining SARS-CoV-2 infection, access to personal protective equipment and the regional and community prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. In a systematic review of studies published in 2020, the estimated prevalence of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers was 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7%-15%).…”