COVID-19 prevalence among healthcare workers. A systematic review and meta-analysis
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Date
Authors
Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa
Murewanhema, Grant
Mhango, Malizgani
Iradukunda, Patrick Gad
Chitungo, Itai
Mashora, Moreblessing
Makanda, Pelagia
Atwine, James
Chimene, Munashe
Mbunge, Elliot
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
Understanding the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers is a critical
component to inform occupational health policy and strategy. We conducted a systematic review and
meta-analysis to map and analayse the available global evidence on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2
infections among healthcare workers. The random-effects adjusted pooled prevalence of COVID-19
among those studies that conducted the test using the antibody (Ab) method was 7% [95% CI: 3
to 17%]. The random-effects adjusted pooled prevalence of COVID-19 among those studies that
conducted the test using the PCR method was 11% [95% CI: 7 to 16%]. We found the burden of
COVID-19 among healthcare workers to be quite significant and therefore a cause for global health
concern. Furthermore, COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers affect service delivery through
workers’ sick leave, the isolation of confirmed cases and quarantine of contacts, all of which place
significant strain on an already shrunken health workforce.
Description
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS : SUPPLEMENTARY FILE S1: PRISMA Flow Diagram, SUPPLEMENTARY FILE S2: List of full text articles reviewed, SUPPLEMENTARY FILE S3: Distribution of COVID-19 burden
among health care workers in included studies, SUPPLEMENTARY FILE S4: Characteristics of included
studies, SUPPLEMENTARY FILE S5: Egger’s plots for assessing the presence of publication bias for the
meta-analysis, SUPPLEMENTARY FILE S6: Presentation of findings for assessing and accounting for
small-study effects.
Keywords
Healthcare worker, Meta-analysis, Systematic review, COVID-19 pandemic, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Dzinamarira, T.;
Murewanhema, G.; Mhango, M.;
Iradukunda, P.G.; Chitungo, I.;
Mashora, M.; Makanda, P.; Atwine, J.;
Chimene, M.; Mbunge, E.; et al.
COVID-19 Prevalence among
Healthcare Workers. A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19,
146. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010146.