SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract To protect healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, rigorous efforts were made to reduce infection rates among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially prior to vaccine availability. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs and identify poten...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89472-5 |
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| author | Amit Bansal Mai-Chi Trieu Emily M. Eriksson Fan Zhou Jodie McVernon Karl Albert Brokstad Rebecca Jane Cox |
| author_facet | Amit Bansal Mai-Chi Trieu Emily M. Eriksson Fan Zhou Jodie McVernon Karl Albert Brokstad Rebecca Jane Cox |
| author_sort | Amit Bansal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract To protect healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, rigorous efforts were made to reduce infection rates among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially prior to vaccine availability. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs and identify potential risk factors associated with transmission. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar from 1 December 2019 to 5 February 2024. From 498 initial records, 190 articles were reviewed, and 63 studies were eligible. ROBINS-E tool revealed a lower risk of bias in several domains; however, some concerns related to confounding and exposure measurement were identified. Globally, 11% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9–13) of 283,932 HCWs were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Infection rates were associated with a constellation of risk factors and major circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Household exposure (odds ratio (OR) 7.07; 95% CI 3.93–12.73), working as a cleaner (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.39–5.32), occupational exposure (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.49–2.14), inadequate training on infection prevention and control (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.14–1.87), insufficient use of personal protective equipment (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.14–1.84), performing aerosol generating procedures (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.21–1.52) and inadequate hand hygiene (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.79–1.73) were associated with an increased SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conversely, history of quarantine (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08–0.60) and frequent decontamination of high touch areas (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.42–0.64) were protective factors against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study quantifies the substantial global burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. We underscore the urgent need for effective infection prevention and control measures, particularly addressing factors such as household exposure and occupational practices by HCWs, including cleaning staff. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-358979734e63409d891529ebed283fa4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-358979734e63409d891529ebed283fa42025-02-09T12:34:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115112110.1038/s41598-025-89472-5SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysisAmit Bansal0Mai-Chi Trieu1Emily M. Eriksson2Fan Zhou3Jodie McVernon4Karl Albert Brokstad5Rebecca Jane Cox6Department of Clinical Science, Influenza Centre, University of BergenDepartment of Clinical Science, Influenza Centre, University of BergenPopulation Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchDepartment of Clinical Science, Influenza Centre, University of BergenDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of MelbourneDepartment of Clinical Science, Influenza Centre, University of BergenDepartment of Clinical Science, Influenza Centre, University of BergenAbstract To protect healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, rigorous efforts were made to reduce infection rates among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially prior to vaccine availability. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs and identify potential risk factors associated with transmission. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar from 1 December 2019 to 5 February 2024. From 498 initial records, 190 articles were reviewed, and 63 studies were eligible. ROBINS-E tool revealed a lower risk of bias in several domains; however, some concerns related to confounding and exposure measurement were identified. Globally, 11% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9–13) of 283,932 HCWs were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Infection rates were associated with a constellation of risk factors and major circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Household exposure (odds ratio (OR) 7.07; 95% CI 3.93–12.73), working as a cleaner (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.39–5.32), occupational exposure (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.49–2.14), inadequate training on infection prevention and control (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.14–1.87), insufficient use of personal protective equipment (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.14–1.84), performing aerosol generating procedures (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.21–1.52) and inadequate hand hygiene (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.79–1.73) were associated with an increased SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conversely, history of quarantine (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08–0.60) and frequent decontamination of high touch areas (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.42–0.64) were protective factors against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study quantifies the substantial global burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. We underscore the urgent need for effective infection prevention and control measures, particularly addressing factors such as household exposure and occupational practices by HCWs, including cleaning staff.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89472-5Healthcare workers (HCWs)COVID-19SARS-CoV-2InfectionRisk factorOccupational |
| spellingShingle | Amit Bansal Mai-Chi Trieu Emily M. Eriksson Fan Zhou Jodie McVernon Karl Albert Brokstad Rebecca Jane Cox SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis Scientific Reports Healthcare workers (HCWs) COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk factor Occupational |
| title | SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers: systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | sars cov 2 infection rates and associated risk factors in healthcare workers systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Healthcare workers (HCWs) COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk factor Occupational |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89472-5 |
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