Risk factors for COVID-19 infections among health care workers in Ghana
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLOS ONE
Abstract
Introduction
Health care workers (HCWs) are crucial to the fight against COVID-19 and are at risk of
being infected. We sought to determine the risk factors and associations of COVID-19
among HCWs in Ghana during the period of the pandemic.
Materials and methods
A case-control study was conducted using the WHO COVID-19 HCWs exposure risk
assessment tool. A HCW was categorized as “high risk” for COVID-19 if s/he did not
respond “always, as recommended” to adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
measures during a healthcare interaction. A HCW was categorized as “low risk” if s/he
responded “always, as recommended” to adherence to IPC measures. We used univariate
and multiple logistic regression models to determine associated risk factors. Statistical sig nificance was set at 5%.
Results
A total of 2402 HCWs were recruited and the mean age was 33.2±7.1 years. Almost 87%
(1525/1745) of HCWs had high risk for COVID-19 infection. Risk factors identified were pro fession (doctor- aOR: 2.13, 95%CI: 1.54–2.94; radiographer—aOR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.44–
3.09)), presence of comorbidity (aOR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.29–2.78), community exposure to
virus (aOR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03–1.55), not performing hand hygiene before and after aseptic
procedures performed (aOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.05–2.45); not frequently decontaminating high touch surfaces always as recommended (aOR: 2.31, 95%CI: 1.65–3.22; p = 0.001) and con tact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient (aOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15–1.67). Among those who
came into any form of contact with confirmed COVID-19 patient, providing direct care (aOR:
2.0, 95%CI: 1.36–2.94), face-to-face contact (aOR: 2.23, 95%CI: 1.41–3.51), contact with
environment/materials used by COVID-19 patient (aOR: 2.25, 95%CI: 1.45–3.49) and presence during conduct of aerosol generating procedures (aOR: 2.73, 95%CI: 1.74–4.28)
were associated with COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion
Non-adherence to IPC guidelines puts HCWs at increased risk of COVID-19 infection thus
ensuring IPC adherence is key to reducing this risk.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
COVID-19, infections, health care, Ghana
Citation
Citation: Lartey M, Kenu E, Ganu VJ, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Opoku BK, Yawson A, et al. (2023) Risk factors for COVID-19 infections among health care workers in Ghana. PLoS ONE 18(7): e0288242. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288242