Impact of age on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers : Influence of nonoccupational risk factors.
Wien Klin Wochenschr
; 2024 Apr 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38587544
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection was highest among older adults early in the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this pattern was later reversed with young adults showing the highest incidence. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors in healthcare workers (HCWs) associated with this evolution.METHODS:
We conducted a survey nested within a prospective cohort study of 680 HCWs from a tertiary referral public hospital who received 2 doses of SARS-CoV2 vaccine in January and February 2021 (VACCICO-VAO cohort). In October 2022 all participants were invited to participate in a survey. Risk factors were tested for association with COVID-19 ever, the number of COVID-19 episodes, and the time to the first episode.RESULTS:
Among 350 respondents (51% response rate, 90% female, mean age 48.1 years), 323 COVID-19 episodes were diagnosed during the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed that age <â¯35 years vs. >â¯50 years (odds ratio, OR 2.12, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.27-3.51; Pâ¯= 0.004) and not maintaining social distance at social events (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.16-3.19; Pâ¯= 0.011) were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19. Age <â¯35 years (hazard ratio, HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.14-2.54; Pâ¯= 0.010), and not maintaining social distance (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.72; Pâ¯= 0.020) were also associated with the time to the first episode.CONCLUSIONS:
The youngest HCWs had the highest incidence rate of COVID-19, which was not explained by occupational risk factors or health conditions. The increase in nonoccupational exposure since the end of the lockdowns in summer 2020 could by a key factor.
Full text:
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Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Year:
2024
Type:
Article