Novel coronavirus seropositivity and related factors among healthcare workers at a university hospital: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

\n Background\n\nIn this study, it is aimed to investigate the specific risk factors for the transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) among healthcare workers in different campuses of a university hospital and to reveal the risk factors for antibody positivity.\nMethods\n\nIn this cross-sectional study, 2988 (82%) of 3620 healthcare workers in a university hospital participated. The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) antibody was investigated by taking serum to the healthcare workers who accepted for the COVID-19 antibody test. \nThe antibody test results of the\nparticipants were evaluated according to the campus they work,\ntheir profession and their workplace.\n\nStatistical significance level was accepted as p\u2009<\u20090.05 in all analyzes.\nResults\n\nOf the antibody test results of the participants in this study, 108 (3.6%) were positive and 2880 (96.4%) were negative. Antibody positivity were higher in nurses than in other healthcare workers (p\u2009<\u20090.001). When examined according to work places, antibody positivity was higher in those working in intensive care compared to those working in other places (p\u2009<\u20090.001).\nConclusions\n\nHealthcare workers are at the highest risk of being infected with COVID-19. Those who have a higher risk of infection among healthcare workers and those working in high-risk areas should be vaccinated early and take care to work with personal protective equipment during the pandemic period.\nTrial Registration:\n\nRetrospective permission was obtained\nfrom both the local ethics committee and the Turkish Ministry of\nHealth for this study.\n (IRB No:71522473/050.01.04/370, Date: 05.20.2020