Open AccessSARS‐CoV‐2 infection rate in Antananarivo frontline health care workers, Madagascar
Author(s) -
Ratovoson Rila,
Raberahona Mihaja,
Razafimahatratra Rado,
Randriamanantsoa Lova,
Andriamasy Emmanuel Harizaka,
Herindrainy Perlinot,
Razanajatovo Norosoa,
Andriamandimby Soa Fy,
Rakotonaivo Andoniaina,
Randrianarisaona Fanirisoa,
Dussart Philippe,
Heraud Jean Michel,
Randria Mamy Jean de Dieu,
Schoenhals Matthieu,
Randremanana Rindra Vatosoa
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.13022
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , incidence (geometry) , cohort study , prospective cohort study , serology , cohort , population , covid-19 , health care , pediatrics , immunology , environmental health , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , antibody , physics , economics , optics , economic growth
Background Health care workers (HCWs) represent a vulnerable population during epidemic periods. Our cohort study aimed to estimate the risk of infection and associated factors among HCWs during the first wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in Madagascar. Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out in three hospitals that oversaw the first cases of COVID‐19. Monthly ELISA‐based serological tests were conducted, and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected in the case of symptoms linked to COVID‐19 for RT–PCR analysis. Survival analyses were used to determine factors associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Results The study lasted 7 months from May 2020. We included 122 HCWs, 61.5% of whom were women. The median age was 31.9 years (IQR: 26.4–42.3). In total, 42 (34.4%) had SARS‐CoV‐2 infections, of which 20 were asymptomatic (47.6%). The incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 9.3% (95% CI [6.5–13.2]) person‐months. Sixty‐five HCWs presented symptoms, of which 19 were positive by RT–PCR. When adjusted for exposure to deceased cases, infection was more frequent in HCWs younger than 30 years of age (RR = 4.9, 95% CI [1.4–17.2]). Conclusion Our results indicate a high incidence of infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 among HCWs, with a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. Young HCWs are more likely to be at risk than others. Greater awareness among young people is necessary to reduce the threat of infection among HCWs.