P-221 Epidemiological profile of healthcare workers with COVID-19 in Brunei Darussalam

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2023-03, Vol.80 (Suppl 1), p.A45-A46
• Main Authors: Trivedi, Ashish, Lai, Alice, Tan, Regina AG, Fontelera, Maria AP, Win, Kyaw N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts; Antigens; Chi-square test; Coronaviruses; Cough; COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; Disease transmission; Epidemiology; Health care; Health care facilities; Health risks; Hospital facilities; Immunization; Infections; Medical personnel; Pandemics; Polymerase chain reaction; Reverse transcription; Signs and symptoms; Statistical tests; Vaccination; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.109

IntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) played a key role in the management and mitigation of the virus transmission which consequently placed them at high risk of infection. As per World Health Organization, by May 2021, 6.2% of global COVID-19 infections and 115,000 deaths were among HCWs. This study was carried out to assess the demographic and work factors, vaccination status and symptom patterns of HCWs with COVID-19 infection in Brunei Darussalam.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study using a self-administered, web-based questionnaire was conducted on HCWs from government and private sectors in Brunei Darussalam with positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or antigen rapid test for COVID-19 from August 2021 to May 2022. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Chi-square test was used for statistical significance.ResultsA total of 1483 HCWs participated in the study. 232 (15.6%) had COVID-19 infection during the second wave (dominated by Delta variant) and 1251 (84.4%) were infected during the third wave (dominated by Omicron variant). 70% were female, 81.4% from government health facilities, 73.6% were working in hospitals and 45.4% were nurses. 97.7% had at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, 81.7% were symptomatic, and cough (61.2%) and fever (56%) were the commonest symptoms. 5.1% needed hospitalization, which was significantly higher during the Delta wave (20.7%) and in those without booster vaccination (11.8%).ConclusionMajority (84.4%) of HCW cases were reported during the third wave, and this was proportionately similar to 88.9% of the total 148,674 cases in the country recorded during the third wave by 31 May 2022. There was a high coverage of HCWs (>97%) with at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccination. A high proportion (81.7%) were symptomatic and managed conservatively at home whilst 5% required hospitalization. COVID-19 booster vaccination showed significant protection against hospitalisation. Disease Surveillance