Department of Physiology, Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Department of Microbiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran - Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Recenti Prog Med. 2024 Jul-Aug;115(7):350-356. doi: 10.1701/4314.42989.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting Covid-19 due to their frontline roles and close interactions with infected patients. Understanding the prevalence of Covid-19 infection among HCWs and the factors contributing to it is crucial for informing mitigation strategies. However, the available data on Covid-19 infection rates among Iranian HCWs is limited.
The primary objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Covid-19 infection among HCWs working in hospitals dedicated to Covid-19 care versus HCWs in other non-Covid-19 hospitals in Khuzestan province, Iran. Additionally, the study aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with Covid-19 transmission and symptom severity in this population.
This cohort study recruited 3,012 HCWs from 35 hospitals in Khuzestan province. Covid-19 diagnosis was made using RT-PCR testing, chest CT scans, and clinical examination.
Overall, 96% (n=2,918) of the 3,012 HCWs were infected with Covid-19. The prevalence was significantly higher among HCWs from Covid-19 hospitals (59.83%, n=1,746) compared to those from non-Covid-19 hospitals (5.75%, n=168). The capital city of Ahvaz had the highest proportion of Covid-19 cases at 28%.
HCWs, especially those working in hospitals dedicated to Covid-19 care, face a substantial risk of contracting the virus. The high infection rates observed may be attributed to factors like weakened immune systems, non-compliance with precautions, and delayed diagnosis. These findings underscore the critical need to strengthen infection control measures, improve access to personal protective equipment, and enhance surveillance of Covid-19 among frontline HCWs in Iran.
医护人员（HCWs）由于其处于一线工作岗位并与感染患者密切接触，因此感染新冠病毒的风险很高。了解 HCWs 中新冠病毒感染的流行情况及其促成因素对于制定缓解策略至关重要。然而，伊朗 HCWs 中新冠病毒感染率的现有数据有限。
本研究的主要目的是比较在伊朗胡齐斯坦省专门从事新冠病毒护理的医院工作的 HCWs 与在其他非新冠病毒医院工作的 HCWs 中新冠病毒感染的流行率。此外，该研究旨在确定与该人群中新冠病毒传播和症状严重程度相关的潜在风险因素。
这项队列研究招募了来自胡齐斯坦省 35 家医院的 3012 名 HCWs。新冠病毒诊断采用 RT-PCR 检测、胸部 CT 扫描和临床检查。
总体而言，3012 名 HCWs 中有 96%（n=2918）感染了新冠病毒。来自新冠病毒医院的 HCWs（59.83%，n=1746）的感染率明显高于来自非新冠病毒医院的 HCWs（5.75%，n=168）。阿瓦士省会的新冠病毒病例比例最高，为 28%。
HCWs，特别是那些在专门从事新冠病毒护理的医院工作的 HCWs，面临着感染病毒的巨大风险。观察到的高感染率可能归因于免疫系统减弱、不遵守预防措施和延迟诊断等因素。这些发现突显了在伊朗加强感染控制措施、改善个人防护设备的获取途径以及加强对一线 HCWs 的新冠病毒监测的迫切需要。
