Sars-Cov-2 Specific Antibody Detection in Health Care Workers in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the sero-positivity of SARS-CoV-2 in health care workers based on specific antibodies in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Kohat Pakistan, Jun to Jul 2020.

Methodology: 292 Health Care Workers from different departments were included by non-probability consecutive sampling. They were divided into three groups (High risk, Intermediate risk and low risk) according to the exposure risk to COVID-19 patients. In addition, serum samples for SARS- CoV-2 specific quantitative antibodies were collected. The odds ratio for SARSCoV-2 Ab risk was calculated for different risk groups and male and female health care workers.

Result: Out of 292 Health Care Workers, 243 (83.22%) were male, and 49 (16.78%) were female, with a mean age of 34.64 ± 7.25 years. SARS- CoV-2 specific Ab was detected in 43 (14.72%) individuals. The risk of sero-positivity was higher in the high-risk group than the intermediate-risk group (Odds ratio 1.171 vs 0.878) and higher in the intermediate-risk group than the low-risk group (odds ratio 1.120 vs 0.747). The risk was also higher in females than in males (Odds ratio 1.676 vs 0.878).

Conclusion: The sero-positivity of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals is high. The results indicate that we must improve our local hygiene and protective standards.