Frequency of Infected Healthcare Workers and Factors Leading to Infection in Emergency Neurosurgical Trauma during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective:  The aim of this study was to know the frequency of COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers and to identify the risk factors leading to infection in emergency neurosurgical trauma during COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and Methods:  This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital. A total of 99 healthcare workers with an age range from 22 – 55 years attending or carry emergency procedures with both male and female gender were included in the study. Age, gender, sign and symptoms, safety measures and COVID PCR reports were recorded.

Results:  12 (12.1%) out of 99 healthcare workers got an infection with COVID-19. 83.3% of the infected healthcare workers were male while 16.6% were females. A maximum of the healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 was in the age range 31 – 40 (50%). Most of them were Doctors (66.6%) followed by nursing staff (25%). Low-grade fever and cough were the most common symptoms. The most important factors which affect the transmission of infection to healthcare workers were improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, gloves by healthcare professionals, and inability to maintain social distancing with the patients.

Conclusion:  To protect healthcare workers from getting infections, proper personal protective equipment should be used. Early recognition of the infected patient and prompt isolation should be done to prevent or minimize the chain of transmission.