Background Antibody titer and the life span of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 have been found to be associated with the clinical presentation in individuals. The extent of exposure of healthcare workers and the general public to SARS-CoV-2 needs to be assessed to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study is an attempt in assessing the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in health care workers. Methods This laboratory-based cross-sectional study was performed in Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu from November 2020 to January 2021. A total of 185 HCWs were enrolled in this study. Their serum samples were screened for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and a structured questionnaire was administered to collect further information. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening was performed using lateral flow immunoassay. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results Among 185 HCWs that participated in the study, 41 (22.2%) tested positive for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Of these 41 HCWs, 37 tested positive for IgG only and 4 of them tested positive for both IgM and IgG antibodies. The presence of the previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection ( p < 0.001), the presence of flu-like symptoms within the last 6 months ( p < 0.001), and the presence of positive contact history ( p =0.002) were statistically significant with the presence of the antibody among HCWs. Conclusion Healthcare workers carry a high burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection and are at risk of acquiring infection from their workplace. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening among healthcare workers is highly recommended in multiple healthcare settings as it can help in monitoring transmission dynamics and evaluation of infection control policies.
【초록키워드】 antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, IgG, infection control, antibody, cross-sectional, SARS-COV-2 infection, COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers, Infection, risk, healthcare worker, lateral flow immunoassay, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, HCWs, healthcare, Transmission dynamics, antibody screening, information, questionnaire, Teaching, Contact, IgM and IgG, HCW, help, SPSS, college, positive, serum sample, MONITOR, Administered, Result, enrolled, tested, analyzed, was performed, screened, individuals, statistically significant, flu-like symptom, Memorial, participated, 【제목키워드】 Screening, Nepal, clinical, worker, presentation, Tertiary,