Hussein, R., El-Ghitany, E., Elmongui, E., Ismail, D., Hassan, H., Gomaa, M. (2022). Determinants of Severity of COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 52(3), 124-129. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2023.291704
Rania A. Hussein; Engy M. El-Ghitany; Ehab G. Elmongui; Dalia Ismail; Hossam M. Hassan; Mohamed K. Gomaa. "Determinants of Severity of COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 52, 3, 2022, 124-129. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2023.291704
Hussein, R., El-Ghitany, E., Elmongui, E., Ismail, D., Hassan, H., Gomaa, M. (2022). 'Determinants of Severity of COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 52(3), pp. 124-129. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2023.291704
Hussein, R., El-Ghitany, E., Elmongui, E., Ismail, D., Hassan, H., Gomaa, M. Determinants of Severity of COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 2022; 52(3): 124-129. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2023.291704
Determinants of Severity of COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt
1Department of Internal Medicine, Gamal Abdel Nasser Hospital, Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria, Egypt
2Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
3Department of Biostatistics, North-West Branch of Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria, Egypt
4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Gamal Abdel Nasser Hospital, Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria, Egypt
5Department of Clinical Research, North-West Branch of Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria, Egypt
6Department of Pulmonology, Gamal Abdel Nasser Hospital, Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Egypt joined several countries in immunizing her citizens with COVID19 vaccines; a priority was given to health care workers (HCWs), then to patients with chronic diseases. However, HCWs are exposed to a higher viral load; in addition, asymptomatic infection is commoner among them, thus potentially exposing them to a more severe illness. Objective(s): To identify the determinants of the severity of COVID-19 infection among HCWs. Methods: A case control study was conducted, where we recruited HCWs diagnosed as moderate or severe COVID-19 from isolation and critical care units; and compared their vaccination exposure with that among matched controls. A data collection sheet was filled by residents and included information about mask wearing, comorbidities, smoking, and COVID-19 manifestations. Results: The predictors that significantly affected severity of infection were cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, being a nurse, and mask compliance (OR 17.38 p=0.012 *, OR 5.86, p=0.002*, and OR=0.06, p=0.001 *respectively). Most females, as well as nurses were not vaccinated (90% p= 0.009 *, and 83.3% p=0.016 *respectively). There was no significant difference in mean oxygen saturation between vaccinated and non-vaccinated cases. Conclusion: Among HCWs, the most significantly protective factor against COVID-19 moderate and severe illness was mask compliance. Furthermore, being a nurse as well as having cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease were significant positive predictors of getting a more severe disease. There was no significant effect of vaccination on severity of COVID19 illness.