Working conditions of medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021 in Novosibirsk

Abstract

Introduction. The high risk of infection of healthcare workers dictates the need to study their working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 The study aims to research the working conditions of medical workers during the COVID–19 pandemic in multidisciplinary medical and preventive organizations.
 Materials and methods. Analysis of working conditions of medical workers of medical and preventive organizations. The study design is a closed population (four medical institutions were randomly selected), a target group (doctors and nurses). The authors analyzed the staffing table and 16 reports on a special assessment of working conditions at 1,251 workplaces (1,845 medical workers, of which 787 doctors, 1,058 nurses). Statistical analysis included: standard methods of descriptive statistics, determination of relationships by logistic regression (odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (OR CI)). p<0.05 was taken as the critical level of significance.
 Results. The largest number of ill medical workers provided assistance to patients without signs of COVID-19 both in hospitals (86.06% of doctors, 85.85% of nurses) and in outpatient polyclinic treatment and prevention organizations (90.31% of doctors, 92.05% of nurses). The probability of getting sick COVID-19 was maximum in an infectious diseases hospital (compared with emergency departments OR 2.049; 95% OR CI 1.194–4.608 and diagnostic and treatment units of medical institutions OR 3,057; 95% OR CI 1,876–4,98). The workplaces of medical workers who have undergone COVID-19 in infectious diseases hospitals and specialized teams are classified as harmful class 1–3 degrees, and workers are classified as high occupational risk groups according to SARS-CoV-2. The probability of getting sick with COVID-19 is significantly higher when in contact with pathogens of infectious diseases (class of working conditions 3.3 compared to 3.1 or 3.2).
 Conclusion. The workplaces of medical workers who have undergone COVID-19 in infectious diseases hospitals and specialized brigades are classified as harmful class of the first to third degree, and workers are classified as high occupational risk groups for COVID–19.
 Ethics. Scientists have conducted the study in compliance with the Ethical principles set out in the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 with amendments of 1983 and obtaining the informed consent of patients.