ABSTRACT
Context: Health-care workers (HCWs), being the front-line warriors, have been at increased risk for COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. However, the current extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and associated risk factors is still unclear in low- and middle-income countries, like India, especially in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, which propelled this study. Aims: (i) Frequency of infection among HCWs among OBGYN department and cycle threshold value (Ctv) of SARS-COV-2 on RT-PCR. (ii) Clinical presentation, assessment of risk factors, and its impact on HCWs. Settings and Design: This was a prospective study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi for the duration of 6 months. Methods and Material: All SARS-CoV-2-positive HCWs in the department were interviewed verbatim after recovery, through a self-formulated, validated questionnaire, and answers recorded on pre-designed proforma. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables were presented as number and percentage (%), whereas continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and median values. Data were transferred on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analysed using SPSS v 27.0. Results: Amongst 727 HCWs working in the department, 350 RT-PCR tests were performed, and 110 tested positive (prevalence of 15.13%). Mean Ctv of RT-PCR was 28.03. Most HCWs were symptomatic (n = 94) with mild infection; working as nursing officers (40%). Majority of them acquired virus while working in non-COVID wards (76%). Noncompliance with IPC practices (40%) and lack of social distancing (34.5%) were key risk factors. Conclusion: Adept knowledge of the risk factors and IPC practices can aid in averting casualties due to SARS-COV-2 amongst the HCWs.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This retrospective review was done to gauge the preliminary experience of COVID-19 in pregnancy during first 50 days of lockdown in a tertiary care hospital of India. METHODS: This was a single-centered study, wherein all the suspected women (as defined by ICMR guidelines) who were tested for SARS-CoV 2 infection by nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, and rendered to RT-PCR, were included. Parallel evaluation was performed for women in both groups for sociodemographic and obstetric attributes, risk factors, clinical presentation and feto-maternal outcome. Categorical variables were presented in number and percentage. Qualitative variables were equated using Chi-Square test/Fisher's exact test. A P value of < 0.05 was counted as significant. RESULTS: Amongst 112 suspected cases, seven (6.25%) were found to be positive for SARS COV2. Majority of COVID-19 positive women hailed from urban hotspot areas (57.7%) and were un-booked (57.1%). Most were mild cases, and symptomatic (85.7%), with fever (57.1%) being predominant feature in all suspects; no adverse effects seen on pregnancy and fetus, with uneventful postpartum period. CONCLUSION: No adverse outcome in mother and baby after acquiring SARS-COV2 infection was observed, with maximum cases being mild; fever was the predominant symptom in all suspects, with significantly higher percentage in COVID-19 positives.