From the Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Piscataway, New Jersey (J.C., H.K., I.G.U.); Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, New Jersey (J.C., K.B., A.L., A.D.R., H.K., I.G.U., J.M.G.); Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey (K.G., J.M.G.); Biostatistics and Epidemiology Services Center, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ (K.G.); and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, University Correctional Health Care, Trenton, New Jersey (M.B., L.D., A.B.).
J Occup Environ Med. 2023 Jul 1;65(7):573-579. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002836. Epub 2023 Mar 7.
The aim of the study is to assess the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among correctional healthcare workers (HCWs).
We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the demographic and workplace characteristics of New Jersey correctional HCWs between March 15, 2020, and August 31, 2020, using univariate and multivariable analysis.
Among 822 HCWs, patient-facing staff had the highest incidence of infection (7.2%). Associated risk factors include being Black and working in a maximum-security prison. There were few statistically significant findings due to small total numbers ( n = 47) that tested positive.
Correctional HCWs' challenging work environment creates unique risk factors for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Administrative measures taken by the department of corrections may have a significant role in curbing the spread of infection. The findings can help focus preventive measures for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in this unique population.
本研究旨在评估惩教医疗保健工作者（HCWs）感染 SARS-CoV-2 的预测因素。
我们对 2020 年 3 月 15 日至 2020 年 8 月 31 日期间新泽西惩教 HCWs 的人口统计学和工作场所特征进行了回顾性图表审查，使用单变量和多变量分析。
在 822 名 HCWs 中，面向患者的工作人员感染率最高（7.2%）。相关危险因素包括为黑人以及在高度安全监狱工作。由于检测呈阳性的总人数（n=47）较少，因此很少有统计学意义的发现。
惩教 HCWs 充满挑战的工作环境为感染 SARS-CoV-2 病毒创造了独特的危险因素。惩教部门采取的行政措施可能在遏制感染传播方面发挥重要作用。这些发现有助于集中预防措施，以减少这一独特人群中 COVID-19 的传播。
