Healthcare Workers’ Vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 in Western Romania: A Study on Incidence and Risk Factors for Non-Vaccination and Reinfection

Abstract

Emanuela-Georgiana Gal-Nădășan,1 Irina-Maria Popescu,2 Luminița Mirela Bădițoiu,2,3 Norbert Gal-Nădășan,4 Flavius Cioca,5 Emilian Damian Popovici,2 Anca-Raluca Dinu,6 Florin George Horhat,3,7 Mădălin-Marius Margan,8 Dan Dumitru Vulcănescu,7 Andrei Anghel,9 Cătălin Marian,9 Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru2,10 1Dr. Sandesc’ Medpoint Medical Center, Mosnita-Nouă, Romania; 2Department of Epidemiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 3Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 4Department of Automation and Applied Informatics, Faculty of Automation and Computers, Politehnica University, Timişoara, Romania; 5Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 6Department of Medical Recovery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 7Department of Microbiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 8Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 9Department of Biochemistry, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania; 10Public Health Authority of Timis County, Timisoara, RomaniaCorrespondence: Irina-Maria Popescu, Department of Epidemiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, Timisoara, 300041, Romania, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted healthcare workers, a professional category at risk of infection in both hospital and community settings. The aim of the study was to compare morbidity among hospital staff and that in general population, as well as the factors predicting non-vaccination and reinfection.Patients and Methods: The present study is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. It was conducted by including all the confirmed COVID-19 infection cases in medical staff members during the period 01.01.2021– 31.03.2022 that were reported to the Public Health Authority of Timis County, Timisoara, Western Romania.Results: Direct, strong, statistically significant correlations were found between the incidence of COVID-19 recorded in all categories of medical personnel and the community pandemic trend, with maximum values for auxiliary and medium medical staff (rho = 0.852/0.821, p < 0.001). The high socio-economic level, as well as the advanced medical education level, were predictor factors for anti-SARS-COV-2 vaccination among the personnel. The non-vaccinated status as well as incomplete vaccination or even the 2-dose vaccination represented independent risk factors for reinfection in 2022. Conversely, receiving a higher number of vaccine doses emerged as the primary protective factor. Notably, reduced adherence to the administration of the following doses was observed particularly among medium and auxiliary staff, leading to additional risks of infection with the Omicron variant.Conclusion: Despite over 70% vaccination coverage among all studied medical personnel categories, there was low adherence to repeat doses of vaccination, particularly among medium and auxiliary staff. The study highlighted a distinct necessity for enhanced training on preventive behaviours and targeted prevention/control strategies for all professional groups interacting with patients, including caretakers, ambulance workers, receptionists, physiotherapists, and psychologists.Keywords: COVID-19, healthcare workers, incidence, vaccination, predictor factors

Keywords

• covid-19
• healthcare workers
• incidence
• vaccination
• predictor factors