Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed whether the increased SARS-CoV-2 risk of healthcare workers (HCW) is carried on to their household contacts. Within a prospective HCW cohort, we assessed the SARS-CoV-2 risk of household contacts of HCW depending on the HCWs cumulative exposure to COVID-19 patients and identified factors influencing this association. METHODS: HCW aged ≥ 16 years from nine Swiss healthcare networks participated. HCW without any household contacts were excluded. For HCW, cumulative patient exposure (number of COVID-19 patient contacts times average contact duration during a 12-month follow-up) was calculated. During follow-up, HCW reported SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab results and positive swab results of their household contacts. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify variables associated with SARS-CoV-2 household positivity. RESULTS: Of 2406 HCW, 466 (19%) reported ≥ 1 SARS-CoV-2 positive household. In multivariable analysis, patient exposure of HCW (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.08 per category, 95% CI 1.04-1.12), household size (aOR 1.53 per household member, 95% CI 1.35-1.73) and having children (aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.94) remained associated with household positivity. Vaccinated HCW had a lower risk (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.77) of reporting a positive contact, as were those using respirator masks in contact with COVID-19 patients (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.86). Among vaccinated HCW, delayed first vaccination was associated with increased household SARS-CoV-2 positivity (aOR 1.14 per month, 95% CI 1.08-1.21). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 positivity in household contacts of HCW increases with higher cumulative COVID-19 patient exposure of HCWs. Measures reducing the SARS-CoV-2 risk in HCW might indirectly reduce the infection risk of their households.
Authors: Philipp Kohler, Tamara Dörr, Andrée Friedl, Reto Stocker, Danielle Vuichard, Stefan P. Kuster, Christian R. Kahlert, the SURPRISE Study Group, Ulrike Besold, Elsbeth Betschon, Angela Brucher, Alexia Cusini, Andrée Friedl, Stephan Goppel, Fabian Grässli, Christian R. Kahlert, Joelle Keller, Simone Kessler, Philipp Kohler, Stefan P. Kuster, Onicio Leal, Eva Lemmenmeier, Allison McGeer, Dorette Meier Kleeb, Elisabeth Möller, J. Carsten Möller, Maja F. Müller, Vaxhid Musa, Manuela Ortner, Philip Rieder, Lorenz Risch, Markus Ruetti, Matthias Schlegel, Hans-Ruedi Schmid, Reto Stocker, Pietro Vernazza, Matthias von Kietzell, Danielle Vuichard-Gysin, Benedikt Wiggli
Language: English
Subfield: Modeling and Simulation
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,041
Award: G1628242668
OpenAlex ID: W4386540353