Publication: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among pediatric health care personnel just after the first peak of pandemic: a nationwide surveillance in Turkey
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Program
KU-Authors
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Oygar, P.D.
Büyükçam, A.
Bal, Z.S.
Dalgıç, N.
Bozdemir, S.E.
Karbuz, A.
Çetin, B.S.
Kara, Y.
Çetin, C.
Hatipoğlu, N.
Advisor
Publication Date
2021
Language
English
Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Background: understanding SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care personnel is important to ex-plore risk factors for transmission, develop elimination strategies and form a view on the necessity and frequency of surveillance in the future. Methods: we enrolled 4927 health care personnel working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from 7 different regions of Turkey in a study to determine SARS Co-V-2 seroprevalence after the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG was used. Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity prevalence in health care personnel tested was 6.1%. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19-positive co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel were more likely to be infected. Most of the seropositive health care personnel (68.0%) did not suspect that they had previously had COVID-19. Conclusions: health surveillance for health care personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing and monitoring personal protective equipment adherence are suggested as important strategies to protect health care personnel from COVID-19 and reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Description
Source:
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Publisher:
Elsevier
Keywords:
Subject
Infectious diseases