Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Healthcare Workers (HCWs).
Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study among 3644 HCWs at King Saud Medical City (KSMC) during the last two weeks of December 2020. A Google form survey was used to collect data on demographics, underlying health conditions, job duties, infection control competencies, COVID-19 exposure history, symptoms, and confirmed infections.
Findings: 26.5% demonstrated seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 10-fold higher than the national seroprevalence (2.36) conducted in May 2020. Seropositivity was significantly higher among non-Saudi HCWs and participants who lived outside the hospital dormitory p < 0.0001 and 0.01, respectively). Seropositivity was significantly higher among HCWs who worked on clinical areas of high exposure level, and those who spent longer duration working with patients with COVID-19; p = 0.002 and 0.005, respectively).
Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs can go unrecognized, which magnifies the importance of complying with universal masking and social distancing directives. Detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in HCWs can help healthcare leaders in considering staff allocations and assignments accordingly.
Keywords: COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Infection Control measures; SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; Saudi Arabia.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Healthcare workers, Saudi Arabia, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, Infection Control measures, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, infection control, Healthcare workers, social distancing, cross-sectional, SARS-COV-2 infection, hospital, Seroprevalence, Symptoms, Saudi Arabia, Health, infections, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, cross-sectional study, SARS-CoV-2 antibody, HCWs, healthcare, Patient, Control, Seropositivity, SARS-CoV-2 infections, demographics, HCW, city, worker, help, participant, National, was used, carried, conducted, determine, demonstrated, significantly higher, conditions, Google form, King, 【제목키워드】 cross-sectional, Prevalence, SARS-CoV-2 antibody, healthcare,