ABSTRACT
Objective: to understand the sociodemographic and occupational characteristics and risk exposure among workers of a university hospital who presented COVID-19 symptoms during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: a cross-sectional study (July to September 2020), on staff from the Hospital Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (Madrid, Spain) who were working during the first wave of the pandemic. An ad hoc survey was designed, which included the worker profile, COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, clinical course, and healthcare, among others. Descriptive analysis was conducted, and Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for statistical hypothesis testing. Results: the study included 992 subjects;34.3% (n= 340) presented COVID-19 symptoms;283 (84.0%) were female;82.9% (n= 282) of them were healthcare staff;36.8% (n= 125) were nurses;63.5% (n= 216) worked at high risk units;36.2% (n= 123) had a previous medical condition. Of the participants, 83.3% (n= 194) admitted having worked previously at high risk units;84.5% (n= 229) stated that they have felt exposed to the infection during work;49.7% (n= 98) had some incidence of risk;and 73.7% (n= 202) presented asthenia. There was a higher prevalence of healthcare staff with COVID symptoms vs. non-healthcare staff, based on care activities (92.9% vs. 50.0%;p< 0.001), work at COVID areas (74.2% vs. 48.1%;p< 0.001), and activity in high risk Units (73.4% vs. 15.5%;p< 0.001). Conclusions: among the workers with COVID symptoms, there was a higher proportion of healthcare staff, women, nurses, workers at COVID areas, risk units, and previous exposure to patients with confirmed or suspected infection. Differences between healthcare and non-healthcare staff were determined by their place of work during the pandemic and their risk of exposure to COVID-19. © 2023 DAE Editorial, Grupo Paradigma. All rights reserved.