Investigating the Outbreak of Covid-19 Disease and Its Relationship with Compliance with Health Protocols in the Detergent Industries of Alborz City

Abstract

Background and Objective: COVID-19 spread faster in crowded public places; therefore, industrial workers are more prone to COVID-19 infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 and its association with adherence to sanitary protocols in detergent industries in Alborz province, Iran. Materials and Methods: Given a 95% confidence interval, a 3% permissible error level, and an 11% prevalence rate, a total sample of 552 from seven industrial units were recruited. Demographics and COVID-19 infection data were gathered using a questionnaire. The level of adherence to sanitary protocols was assessed using a checklist approved by the Ministry of Health. Results: The average age of the subjects was 35.17±7.27 years, and 14.3% were female. The level of adherence to sanitary protocols was 94.36±6% in each industry. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection was 33.5% in detergent industries, with the highest rate in the packaging unit (42%). The results suggested that COVID-19 prevalence was associated with education level, history of an infected family member, exposure to crowded places, and disinfection (P<0.05). Conclusion: The contact history of workers with an infected family member played a significant role in their COVID-19 contraction. Enhancing air-conditioning systems, social distancing in working stations, evaluating the workers with a history of contact with infected family members, and developing management measures, including educating workers' families, quarantining, and granting leave to workers in contact with infected family members, are integral for the prevention and control of the epidemic in industries.

Keywords

• detergent industries
• health protocols
• occupational hygiene
• prevalence of covid-19