Risk of covid-19 infection and associated factors among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study at eka kotebe treatment center in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Healthcare worker-associated COVID-19 infection is a worldwide problem. The magnitude of exposure risk to COVID-19 infections in Ethiopia is rapidly increasing following its spread in the country. However, studies about the risk of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers and factors associated with risk of COVID-19 infection are lacking in Ethiopia. Objective: The study investigated level of risk of COVID-19 infection and associated factors among healthcare workers at Eka Kotebe COVID-19 treatment center. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2020 to determine risk of COVID-19 infection and associated factors at Eka Kotebe COVID-19 treatment center. In total, 318 healthcare workers participated in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. A binary logistic regression model was used to evaluate the risk of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers. Results: A total of 243 (76%) healthcare workers had a high exposure risk of COVID-19 infection. Department of healthcare workers, ICU department workers [AOR: 6.545, 95% CI; (1.79–23.97)], long working hours [AOR: 9.224, 95% CI; (2.00–42.61)], inadequate supply of PPE [AOR: 0.318, 95% CI; (0.14–0.75)], lack of access to alcohol-based hand rub [AOR: 0.093, 95% CI; (0.01–0.98)], providing care within one meter of COVID-19 patients [AOR: 20.633, 95% CI; (3.88–109.76)], and direct contact with an environment in which a COVID-19 patient received care [AOR: 9.600, 95% CI; (1.05–84.50)] were found to be risk factors for COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: Healthcare workers face a high risk of COVID-19 infection while providing care for COVID-19 patients. Proper use and adequate supply of PPE and the implementation of basic infection prevention and control with frequent protocol revision and strict super-vision are crucial to limit exposure risk to COVID-19 among healthcare workers.