Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers: a European multicentre cohort study, May 2021–April 2024

  1. Iris Ganser
  2. Madelyn Rojas-Castro
  3. Kim Brolin
  4. Zvjezdana Lovrić Makarić
  5. Anneli Uusküla
  6. Colm Bergin
  7. Catherine Fleming
  8. Paolo Bonfanti
  9. Rita Murri
  10. Viesturs Zvirbulis
  11. Dace Zavadska
  12. Konstanty Szuldrzynski
  13. Vânia Gaio
  14. Corneliu Petro Popescu
  15. Mihai Craiu
  16. Raluca-Maria Hrișcă
  17. Maria Cisneros Perez
  18. Miriam Latorre-Millán
  19. Goranka Petrović
  20. Liis Lohur
  21. Jonathan McGrath
  22. Liam Townsend
  23. Anna Spolti
  24. Kathleen De Gaetano Donati
  25. Ilze Abolina
  26. Dagne Gravele
  27. Ausenda Machado
  28. Simin Aysel Florescu
  29. Mihaela Lazar
  30. Pilar Subirats Cid
  31. Laura Clusa
  32. Gordan Sarajlić
  33. Jacklyn Sui
  34. Claire Kenny
  35. Rosaria Santangelo
  36. Dainis Krievins
  37. Elza Anna Bārzdiņa
  38. Camila Valadas Henriques
  39. Alma Gabriela Kosa
  40. Victor Daniel Miron
  41. Săftica-Mariana Pohrib
  42. Carmen Muñoz-Almagro
  43. Ana Maria Milagro
  44. Anthony Nardone
  45. Sabrina Bacci
  46. Camelia Savulescu
  47. and the VEBIS HCW study group
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Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) faced increased SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. We aimed to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs and assess how their association with infection changed over time to prepare for future similar events. Methods We conducted a cohort study among HCWs from 18 European hospitals that completed weekly questionnaires and tested weekly/fortnightly by PCR. We defined separate cohorts for pre-Omicron (May 2021–December 2021), pandemic Omicron (December 2021–April 2023), and post-pandemic Omicron (September 2023–April 2024) periods. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for associations between each exposure and SARS-CoV-2 infection, adjusting for age, sex, underlying conditions, and hospital. Results We included 1395, 2056, and 1254 HCWs in the three periods. Median age was 44 years, and 2597 (80%) were female, 740 (22%) medical doctors, 1399 (42%) nurses, 391 (12%) administrative personnel, 113 (3%) ancillary personnel, and 612 (18%) worked in other roles. Compared to medical doctors, ancillary personnel presented the highest risk pre-Omicron (aHR 3.86, 95% CI [1.30, 11.47]). Household contact was the strongest risk factor pre-Omicron (aHR 4.05 95% CI [1.78, 9.19]) but decreased over time. Conclusions Household exposure and occupational role were key risk factors, but their effect size decreased over time. Infection prevention strategies should be regularly updated, extending beyond clinical staff and considering household exposure, should similar events occur.

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  1. Version published to 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8985953/v1 on Research Square