Open AccessEXPOSICIÓN Y RIESGO OCUPACIONAL DE COVID-19 EN ESTUDIANTES, DOCENTES Y PROFESIONALES DE LA SALUD.
Author(s) -
Alberto Narváez Olalla,
Jonathan Zapata,
Jhon Guerrero González,
Diana Solís Cárdenas,
Lilian Calderón Layedra,
Jorge Albán Villacis,
Piedra Andrade,
Rocío Padilla Contreras
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
vozandes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1390-1656
DOI - 10.48018/rmv.v31.i2.5
Subject(s) - biosecurity , personal protective equipment , covid-19 , incidence (geometry) , medicine , observational study , population , health professionals , occupational safety and health , occupational exposure , environmental health , cross sectional study , descriptive research , health care , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , statistics , mathematics , physics , optics , economics , economic growth
IntroductionHealth professional’s exposure to the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as well as their risk of acquiring COVID-19 “its associated disease”, has been higher compared to other population groups. Nevertheless, the correct implementation of biosecurity measures could reduce their infection risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the availability of personal protective equipment “PPE”, occupational risks and its relationship with COVID-19 in health professionals.Patients and methods603 subjects among students, teachers, and health professionals were included in a cross-sectional descriptive observational study. Occupational exposure and incidence of COVID-19 were the main measurements. ResultsMost of the subjects were women (73.5%) and young adults (92.6%) and 23.55% (95% CI 20.3-27.1) referred a diagnosis of COVID-19 (15% confirmed, 8% suspected). People who worked in Pichincha’s province and those who did not have soap presented a higher risk of COVID-19 infection (adjusted OR= 2.85 and 2.68 respectively). Contact with confirmed and suspicious cases were the variables that were associated with the highest risk of infection (adjusted OR= 9.28 and 3.07 respectively).Conclusions The high incidence of COVID-19 in the subjects was associated with PPE deficiencies. Health professional’s protection must be a priority for health and labor authorities, who must also provide the PPE and necessary supplies. A periodic screening in this occupational group to assess the impact of protective measures and analyze the implementation of necessary corrections.is recommended.