Non-Pharmacological Preventive Measures Had an Impact on COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers before the Vaccination Effect: A Cohort Study

Mireia Utzet, Fernando G. Benavides, Rocío Villar, Andrea Burón, Maria Sala, Luis-Eugenio López, Pau Gomar, Xavier Castells, Pilar Diaz, José María Ramada and Consol Serra
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Mireia Utzet: Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Fernando G. Benavides: Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Rocío Villar: Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Andrea Burón: IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Maria Sala: IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Luis-Eugenio López: Consorci Mar Parc de Salut de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Pau Gomar: Consorci Mar Parc de Salut de Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Xavier Castells: IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Pilar Diaz: Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
José María Ramada: Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Consol Serra: Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: Healthcare workers have been and still are at the forefront of COVID-19 patient care. Their infection had direct implications and caused important challenges for healthcare performance. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of non-pharmacological preventive measures against COVID-19 among healthcare workers. This study is based on a dynamic cohort of healthcare workers ( n = 5543) who had been hired by a Spanish hospital for at least one week during 2020. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the incidence rate and the rate ratio (RR) between the two waves (defined from 15 March to 21 June and from 22 June to 31 December), considering natural immunity during the first wave and contextual variables. All models were stratified by socio-occupational variables. The average COVID-19 incidence rate per 1000 worker-days showed a significant reduction between the two waves, dropping from 0.82 (CI95%: 0.73–0.91) to 0.39 (0.35–0.44). The adjusted RR was 0.54 (0.48–0.87) when natural immunity was acquired during the first wave, and contextual variables were considered. The significant reduction of the COVID-19 incidence rate could be explained mainly by improvement in the non-pharmacological preventive interventions. It is needed to identify which measures were more effective. Young workers and those with a replacement contract were identified as vulnerable groups that need greater preventive efforts. Future preparedness plans would benefit from these results.

Keywords: COVID-19; healthcare worker; incidence; rate ratio; non-pharmaceutical preventive measures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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