Exposure to known COVID-19 infection risk factors among healthcare workers responding to COVID-19 outbreak in Lagos State, Nigeria-2020

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, over 790,000 deaths of COVID-19 cases were reported by August 20, 2020, these numbers included healthcare workers (HCW). The high infection rate among HCW to COVID-19 is worrisome requiring countries to protect them. We examined the risk of exposure among HCW. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 151 healthcare workers responding to the COVID-19 outbreak in Lagos State using an electronic-based self-administered questionnaire. Categorical variables were summarized as proportions, and bivariate analysis of the independent and dependent variables was subjected to the Chi-square test. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Sixty-nine (45.9%) of responders have had over 10-year experience in the health sector. Ninety-eight (64.9%) of the responders had previous experience in responding to outbreaks. Ninety-nine (65.6%) of responders had been involved in the COVID-19 response beyond two months. Sixty-three (41.7%) participants were exposed to aerosol-generating procedures (AGP), with the majority (85%) occurring during the collection of sputum for COVID-19 testing. Forty-three percent were involved directly with facilities where confirmed cases were treated. Among responders, 101 (66.9%) admitted to the regular use of work-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during their activities. One hundred and thirty-seven HCW (90.7%) had no exposure to biological or respiratory fluids. On bivariate analysis, no variable was associated with the risk of contracting the infection by healthcare workers. Conclusion: The exposure to known COVID-19 risk factors among healthcare responders in Lagos is high. This exposure is not associated with years of experience of service in the health sector, age or gender of responders, direct contact with confirmed cases, or direct care of confirmed COVID-19 cases.