AUTHOR=Lu Beier , Ma Rongji , Xu Jinshui , Zhang Yongjie , Guo Haijian , Chen Hualing , Miao Pengcheng , Qian Yongkang , Xu Biyun , Shen Ya , Chen Bingwei 

TITLE=Primary healthcare workers’ COVID-19 infection status following implementation of adjusted epidemic prevention and control strategies: a cross-sectional study in Jiangsu, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1297770

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1297770

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Introduction</title><p>In times of epidemic outbreaks, healthcare workers (HCWs) emerge as a particularly vulnerable group. This cross-sectional study endeavors to assess the COVID-19 infection rate among the primary HCWs in Jiangsu Province subsequent to the implementation of adjusted epidemic prevention and control strategies.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>From January 17 to February 2, 2023, an extensive survey was conducted among primary HCWs in Jiangsu Province, employing a self-designed questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 infection.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>The overall infection rate among primary HCWs stood at 81.05%, with a 95% confidence interval (<italic>CI</italic>) of 80.61–81.48%. Among those afflicted, cough, fatigue, and fever emerged as the three most prevalent symptoms, each with an incidence rate exceeding 80%. In the context of multivariate logistic regression, an elevated risk of COVID-19 infection was observed in correlation with female gender (adjusted odds ratio [a<italic>OR</italic>] = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.21), possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher (a<italic>OR</italic> = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23–1.41), accumulating over 10 years of work experience (a<italic>OR</italic> = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11–1.47), holding a middle-level cadre position (a<italic>OR</italic> = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11–1.35), assuming the role of a unit leader (a<italic>OR</italic> = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.11–1.54), and working in a fever clinic for 1 to 10 days per month (a<italic>OR</italic> = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.29–1.57). Conversely, advanced age (a<italic>OR</italic> = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.70–0.82), being underweight (a<italic>OR</italic> = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.90), current smoking (a<italic>OR</italic> = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.57–0.71), receiving 4 doses of COVID-19 vaccine (a<italic>OR</italic> = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.37–0.66), and pregnancy or perinatal status (a<italic>OR</italic> = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.72–0.99) were associated with a diminished risk of infection.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Following the implementation of adjusted policies, a substantial proportion of primary HCWs in Jiangsu province contracted COVID-19. Female gender and younger age emerged as risk factors for COVID-19 infection, while no discernible link was established between professions and COVID-19 susceptibility. The receipt of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated efficacy in curtailing the infection rate, underscoring the significance of bolstering prevention knowledge and heightening self-protective awareness among primary HCWs.</p></sec>