Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of hotel housekeeping staff. (Special Issue: Tourism in the northeast.)

This research aimed to understand the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of workers of hotel housekeeping departments in the city of Joao Pessoa/PB. A quantitative analysis was carried out, to measure the information gathered from workers of three medium-sized hotels in the capital of the state of Paraiba, using a questionnaire to gather data, and descriptive analysis for the data analysis. It was found that the Covid-19 pandemic had caused impacts on the mental health of workers in this area, mainly in terms of financial worries;fear of losing their jobs;fear of contracting the disease while at work;and fear that if infected, they might pass it on to other members of the family. Added to this were physical fatigue, obsession with cleaning, and stress.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in high-risk occupational and low-risk groups in southwestern Iran

Background: Monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been considered by the World Health Organization (WHO). We examined the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin antibodies in southwestern Iran in spring 2020. The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is high in the general population, especially among health care workers (HCWs) who are in close contact with patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antigen in high-risk occupational and low-risk groups to investigate risk factors for serum positivity in Shiraz, southwestern Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed on 366 participants (204 from high-risk and 162 from low-risk subjects). IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using Pishtaz Teb COVID-19 ELISA Kits to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-antigen in serum samples. After enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum prevalence, as well as IgG/IgM positive factors, was determined using logistic regression. Results: From July to September 2020 (a few months after reporting the first case of COVID-19 cases in Iran), out of 366 survived people, 72 (40.9%) were IgG positive, and 50 (27.5%) were IgM positive. The frequency of positive serology for IgG and IgM antibodies in individuals aged < 30 years was higher in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group. Multivariate logistic regression showed that headache (OR 0.312 [95% CI: 0.136 - 0.717]) and cough (OR 0.427 [95% CI: 0.182 - 1.004]) factors were associated with IgG or IgM positive serology. Conclusions: Between July and September 2020, the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antigen was high in Shiraz. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM antibodies in the high-risk group and their family as low risk was shown to increase viral infection due to close contact with COVID 19 patients than in the general population. Several factors were found to be related to the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antigen that needs to be considered by policymakers to determine what to do about the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

COVID-19 exposure setting, social and gender determinants in a Mediterranean region

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of social and gender determinants, which influence the places where people are exposed to COVID-19, may be relevant in the development of preventive and control strategies. The aim of this paper was to determine the context in which COVID-19 cases were infected (household, work/labor, health, social-health, and social-leisure settings) according to country of origin, occupational social class and gender, which is essential in order to designing public health strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of an epidemiological registry of 56,628 COVID-19 incident cases was made, whose exposure/ contagion setting was studied according to the previous variables from June 15 to December 23, 2020, in the Region of Murcia (Spain). An exact Fisher test was used to study the distribution of COVID-19 cases based on the above variables. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence was higher in people from Africa (5,133.5 cases/100,000 inhabitants) and Latin America (11,351.1) than in non-immigrants (3,145.7). It was also higher in women (3,885.6) than in men (3,572.6). It is noteworthy, that 53.3% of the cases with employment were workers in industry or construction, artisans, agricultural workers, or elementary occupations. In contrast, during the second semester of 2020, 41.3% of the employed population in the Region of Murcia performed such jobs. The household was the main exposure setting (56.5% of cases with a known setting), followed by social-leisure (20.7%) and work/labor (18.2%). The labor settings were more important in immigrants from Africa (28.4%) and Latin America (35.7%) than in non-immigrants (12%), inversely to social-leisure settings. Labor context was more important in women (19.6%) than in men (16.5%) and in manual workers (44.1%) than in non-manual workers (26.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The context in which COVID-19 cases were infected is different according to social inequalities related to country of origin, gender and occupational social class.

Ambulatory visits, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2021

The aggregate numbers and rates of ambulatory care visits by active component service members in 2021 were the highest of the previous ten years. Most disease and injury categories experienced slight increases in both rates and numbers. From 19% of ambulatory care visits in 2020 to less than 15% in 2021, telehealth contacts were used less frequently. The statistics for 2021 demonstrate a return to pre-pandemic levels, notwithstanding the possibility that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was related with declines in the incidence of disease and injury diagnoses in the community of service members seeking ambulatory care. Additionally, the proportions of telehealth-delivered medical encounters have similarly decreased to the lower levels seen before the pandemic. Lessons learned may direct future actions to lower the frequency of disease and harm in the post-pandemic era. This study details the ambulatory health care visits made by active component members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps in 2020 in terms of frequency, rates, trends, and other factors. U.S. service members' ambulatory visits to fixed military and nonmilitary medical treatment facilities (reimbursed through the Military Health System [MHS]) are recorded in standardized, computerized records. The Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS), the data source for this report, routinely archives these records for health surveillance purposes. This research excludes ambulatory visits that are not frequently and fully recorded using standardized electronic records (for example, during deployments, field training exercises, or at sea). As in previous MSMR reports, the primary (first-listed) diagnostic position of the visit records was used to categorize all records of ambulatory visits of active component service members according to the first four characters of the ICD-10 codes. In this research, a specific query of the DMSS records was carried out to identify ambulatory visits that were completed via "telehealth" encounters rather than in-person meetings (e.g., via telephone or video conferencing). Most data summaries included both types of encounters and did not make a distinction between them, however due to the rise in telehealth encounter usage during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, changes in the proportions of telehealth encounters were examined.

Technostress at work during the COVID-19 lockdown phase (2020-2021): a systematic review of the literature.

Technostress is a psychosocial phenomenon associated with the use of technologies to the detriment of health, the same one that during the pandemic was accelerated in the work considering home confinement. This work aims to systematize the main research on the impact of technostress at work during the severe confinement stage of the pandemic, between the years 2020 and 2021, with the purpose of identify and evaluate its main determining factors. A systematic review of the literature was carried out during COVID-19, using the words "technostress work COVID-19." The works found focus mainly on analyzing the creators and inhibitors of technostress in workers, as well as the main consequences of the materialization of this technological risk associated with work performance during the stage of confinement by COVID-19. Techno invasion and techno overload were identified as the main techno stressors, with the main type of technostress appreciated in the literature being techno fatigue. Technostress is identified as a problem that had direct and relevant effects during the season of severe confinement and remote work at home due to COVID-19; highlighting techno fatigue as the most frequent type of stress, and techno stressors such as techno invasion and overload as the ones that presented the highest incidence.

The intention to accept the vaccine against COVID-19 at risk sectors in Ecuador

Introduction: COVID-19 caused healthcare professional workers have faced the pandemic on the frontline at the risk of being infected with the virus. Despite the low mortality rate at present and the low presence of patients with COVID-19 in health care centers, the application of a fourth booster dose has generated different positions among several countries. Background: to determine whether personnel considered being at high risk of vulnerability in the city of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador, have favorable intentions for receiving the fourth booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Method: a quantitative study of correlational scope and cross-sectional design was developed. A questionnaire consisting of 16 questions measured the following variables: risk of infection, perceived knowledge of the vaccine, confidence in the vaccine and intention to be vaccinated;this questionnaire was applied to 375 participants. Statistical analyses were developed using the microsoft Excel spreadsheed and Statistical Packagefor Social Sciences 21 (SPSS 21). Results: statistical analyses showed that the risk of infection (beta = 0.178**), perceived knowledge about the vaccine (beta = 0.218**) and confidence about the vaccine (beta = 0.192**) are significantly correlated with the intention to be fully vaccinated, thus showing the need for a fourth booster dose by vulnerable sectors. Conclusion: this is the first research that presents results regarding the intention to vaccinate vulnerable people and highlights the intention to access a fourth booster dose.

Influence of COVID-19 on the work environment of health workers in Ecuador

Introduction: the quality of medical care is directly related to the appropriate work environment and the satisfaction of the health staff. With the appearance of COVID-19, the work environment in health institutions has worsened. Background: to identify the factors that influence the work environment of the public and private health institutions of Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Ecuador, during the period June-August 2021. Method: implementation of a study with a quantitative approach of correlational scope and transectional design in 349 health workers, to whom a 25-questions questionnaire was applied, that measured factors such as: contagion risk, working hours, medical resources and job stability. The results of the study were statistically analyzed through SPPS 20 and AMOS 24, with the previous development of Cronbach's alpha. Results: 94% of the participants considered the work environment of their institutions as inappropriate, while 6% said they did not. Females, and ages ranging between 22-35 years predominated. All the variables of the hypothesized model exceeded 0.70 and the total Cronbach's alpha reached 0.728;the hypothesized model met the convergent and discriminant validity of the variables. The risk of contagion yielded a value of beta=0.148, while the working day resulted with beta=0.010, medical resources beta=0.006 and job stability beta=0.007. Conclusions: the findings determined that the risk of contagion is the most influential factor in the work environment of the institutions under study during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ssessment of post-vaccination collective immunity against new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) among servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation

The recent vaccination campaign targeting the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) carried out in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, on the background of the current unstable global pandemic situation, makes it necessary to study post-vaccination population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and thus identify key features of immunity in organized military collectives. In the future, this will make it possible to objectively assess the risks of a worsening pandemic situation, effectively adjust the ongoing sanitary and anti-epidemic measures aimed at preserving and strengthening the health of military personnel, as one of the main conditions for maintaining the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. During a study conducted on epidemic indications, it was found that vaccination with Gam-Covid-Vac contributes to the formation of collective immunity with 95% effectiveness. A gender-based analysis of the immune response showed that the proportion of persons who lack class G immunoglobulins to SARS-CoV-2 among females is twice than that among men (9.3% and 4.7%, respectively). Seroprevalence indicators, classified by blood group, range from 94.4% (AB (IV) Rh-) to 97.4% (A (II) Rh-). There were no significant differences in seroprevalence between groups of people with different blood groups;however, the highest value of seroprevalence was seen among military personnel with blood group A (II) Rh-. In this context, it is advisable to continue monitoring the formation of immunity in individuals with various blood groups. The results obtained made it possible to form a primary medical and social "portrait" of a serviceman with the most adequate immune response to the introduction of the Gam-Covid-Vac vaccine (a man under the age of 20 with blood type A (II) Rh-) and to draw a conclusion about the high effectiveness of vaccination in military units (formations) staffed by conscripts and military educational organizations.

The effect of COVID-19-related occupational stress and burnout in referral hospital nurses

Nurses' continuous contribution to patient health makes them prone to occupational stress, which has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational stress that lasts for a long time and is not resolved may cause burnout. Burnout experienced by nurses can impact patients, hospital services, and themselves. This study aimed to determine the effect of occupational stress on the incidence of nurse burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. It used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The study sample was 235 nurses in six COVID-19 referral hospitals in West Sumatra from a proportional random sampling technique. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire distributed via a Google Forms link from February to April 2022. The results showed that the stress level of nurses was most commonly moderate (68.1%), and the burnout level was most commonly low (82.1%), with a significant effect of occupational stress on burnout. This study revealed the effect of occupational stress on the burnout of nurses treating COVID-19 patients.

A study of rural domestic helpers knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 in Mizoram, India

Background: In times of an epidemic such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the public's knowledge and attitude toward the disease affects the ability to abide to different preventive measures. Aims and Objectives: (1) to assess the knowledge and awareness of the domestic helpers in a tribal population, (2) whether the domestic helpers practice appropriate preventative measures that are recommended by WHO. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed and carried out using questionnaire among rural domestic workers in Mizoram, above 14 years of age belonging to both Mizo and Non-Mizo ethnicity. Data were collected from 105 participants and analyzed through t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Majority of the respondents had higher secondary level of education (78.1%) and 95.2% could identify COVID-19 as a communicable disease. Almost all the participants (97.1%) were afraid of infection and the majority (92.4%) had fear of dying with the disease. Three-fourth of the participants were working during the pandemic of which 44.8% had volunteered. Media (68.6%) was the most common source of information about the disease. The education level was significantly associated with knowledge and attitude scores whereas there were no significant differences with respect to the practice (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate an overall good KAP of the rural domestic workers. Since these workers move from house to house and also take care of the vulnerable, and that they themselves and the families, they work for may be at an increased risk of infection with COVID-19, these findings are important from a health campaign perspective.

Epidemiological survey of an epidemic of COVID-19 due to occupational exposure in Qinghai, 2021

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of an epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by occupational exposure in Xining, Qinghai province, from October 17 to November 2, 2021 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: In accordance with the requirements of the COVID-19 prevention and control protocol (eighth edition), epidemiological survey and field response were conducted and throat swabs were collected from the confirmed cases and close contacts. Real time-PCR(RT-PCR) was used to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid. Gene sequencing was performed for the throat swabs of partial confirmed cases by high throughput sequencing. Results: A total of 11 COVID-19 cases were reported in this epidemic, including 3 cases in a family and 8 cases in medical staff. Nine cases were women, 2 cases were men. The cases in epidemic had 3 generations. The average incubation period was 3.18 day. The infection was mainly occurred in working place. The risk factors included sharing telephone, computer and other office equipment. The initial symptoms were cough (10 cases, 90.97%). Unstandardized taking off protective suit in field epidemiological survey and inappropriate design of waterproof boot cover were the main risk factors for the occupational exposure. The SARS-CoV-2 detected belonged to VOC/Delta variant. Conclusion: This epidemic was caused by occupational exposure. It is suggested to strengthen the field supervision and guide of the wearing of protective suits, improve the design of waterproof boot cover and reduce the contacts of field workers with others.

Study of asymptomatic norovirus infection in kitchen workers in key places in Tongzhou district, Beijing, 2019-2021

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infections status in kitchen workers in schools, child care settings, and catering service units and other key places in Tongzhou district of Beijing from 2019 to 2021, and provide evidence for scientific prevention and control of norovirus infection. Methods: The simple random sampling method was used to select the kitchen workers, especially the kitchen workers preparing cold dish, from catering service units, schools, childcare settings, construction sites, hotels as study subjects, and their anal swabs or stool samples were collected for norovirus nucleic acid detection by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Descriptive method was used to analyze the asymptomatic norovirus infection status of the kitchen workers. Results: A total of 3880 samples were collected from 552 units, and 15 norovirus positive cases were detected, including 1 sample positive for GI and 14 samples positive for GII. The asymptomatic norovirus infection rate was 0.39% (15/3880), in which 0.30% (5/1656) in man, and 0.45% (10/2224) in women. No asymptomatic infections were detected in age groups < 18 years and > 60 years, and 2055 cases were detected in age group 19- years, with a positive rate of 0.34% (7/2055), and 1637 cases were detected in age group 46- years, with a positive rate of 0.49% (8/1637). In 2019 when no COVID-19 epidemic occurred, the asymptomatic norovirus infection rate was 1.00% (1/100), but the asymptomatic norovirus infection rate was 0.39% (11/2805)in 2020 and 0.31%(3/975)in 2021 in the context of COVID-19 epidemic. Conclusion: The asymptomatic norovirus infection rate in kitchen workers in key places in Tongzhou was similar to the average level in Beijing during the same period. In COVID-19 epidemic period, the asymptomatic norovirus infection rate was lower than that before the epidemic.

Investigation of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among healthcare workers in a tertiary care centre in district Amritsar

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection poses tremendous challenge to the healthcare system of nations across the globe. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are crucial to the ongoing response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. During the course of their work, they are exposed to hazards that place them at the risk of infection. Serological testing for SARS-CoV2 among healthcare workers, which form a high risk group helps in identifying the burden of hidden infection in an institutional setting. The present study aims to investigate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs during 1st and 2nd wave. Material & Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Government Medical College, Amritsar during June July 2020 (1st wave)and April May 2021(2nd wave). During this period, 184 blood samples were collected from healthcare workers from Government Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar. Serum was separated and used for detection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies by ELISA technique. Results: Out of the 184 samples, 79 (42.9%) were found to be seropositive. Higher seropositivity was seen i.e 60.8% during the 2nd wave (April-May 2021) as compared to 25% during 1st wave. The increase in seroprevalence was observed in almost all categories of HCWs, Doctors 44.4% vz 13.04%, nurses 54.8% vz 34.7%, lab technicians 72% vz 30.4% and housekeeping staff 72.2% vz 21.7%. Also the unvaccinated HCWs showed higher seroprevalence during the second wave and 87.5% of vaccinated HCWs had demonstrable IgG antibodies. Conclusions: High seropositivity was observed among healthcare workers due to their nature of work. Rise of seropositivity among unvaccinated HCWs during 2nd wave concludes that increase in seroprevalence was attributable to natural infection. The vaccine's immunological response was also highlighted in the study.

Analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 in organized military collectives of various types

Against the background of the global spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the prevention of infections with airborne mechanisms of transmission has become a priority in the Armed Forces. The development of effective COVID-19 prevention measures requires consideration of the peculiarities of military service and everyday life due to the inability of organized military collectives to comply with the requirements of the lockdown regime introduced at the peak of morbidity by the civilian health system. The patterns of incidence of COVID-19 in military personnel of the Western Military District in organized military collectives were studied in relation to the conditions of training and combat activities and the characteristics of military service. It was found that the dynamics of the incidence of COVID-19 among military personnel of the Western Military District in 2020-2021 exhibited a wave-like character and included four epidemic rises that coincided with epidemic waves among the civilian population. At the same time, from April to December 2020, the morbidity rate in military personnel was significantly higher than that in the general population, and from January to December 2021 against the background of mass vaccination of military personnel against COVID-19, the incidence rate in military personnel decreased by 50% relative to that in the general population. The effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures has increased significantly in recent months. The average number of patients in the epidemic outbreak decreased by 46.3%, the average duration of the outbreak decreased by 12.4%, and the proportion of group morbidity in the structure of the overall incidence of COVID-19 decreased by 19.8%. It is shown that the incidence of COVID-19 in various types of military collectives depends on the conditions of military service and the specifics of daily activities. The highest epidemiological significance of COVID-19 was detected in military units of constant readiness, as well as in medical and military educational organizations.

The impact of online food delivery on the nutritional status of work-from-home workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Social restriction policies increase the risk of obesity in society because it is influenced by increasingly narrow space for movement so that physical activity is reduced and consumption increases due to feeling bored at home. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused people's lifestyles to change from those previously operating offline to online, including how to get food. Large-scale social restriction policies make food service providers cooperate with the Online Food Delivery (OFD) platform to make it easier to reach consumers. This study aimed to analyze the effect of using an online food delivery application on improving the nutritional status of office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. The study involved 408 workers in Jakarta who experienced the impact of COVID-19. The data analysis technique used SPSS 20, which adjusted test results to the variable data scale. It is known that there was an increase in body weight and nutritional status (p< 0.05) during the large-scale social restriction policy implementation. There is a correlation between physical activity and nutritional status (p< 0.05). There is no significant correlation between the frequency of ordering food online with nutritional status. There is an increase in body weight and an increased risk of obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparison of SARS-CoV2 IgG antibody levels in health workers with and without a history of COVID-19 infection after heterologous vaccination at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang, Indonesia

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, which has spread very quickly, has created crises in all aspects of life around the world. The administration of the COVID-19 heterologous vaccine in Indonesia is prioritized for high-risk groups, one of which is health workers. This study aimed to determine the comparison of quantitative IgG antibody levels for SARS CoV2 between health workers with and without a history of being infected with COVID-19 after heterology vaccination at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang, Indonesia. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional analytic observational study. A total of 64 subjects participated in this study. Data analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS software in univariate and bivariate. Results: SARS-CoV2 IgG antibody levels with and without a history of being infected with COVID-19 after heterologous vaccination did not find a significant difference in IgG levels between the two groups. However, the quantitative IgG levels of SARS-CoV2 in the infected history group were greater, namely 4834.25 AU/mL, compared to no history of COVID-19 infection of 3833.35 AU/mL Conclusion: There is a difference in the average SARS-CoV 2 IgG between subjects with a history of being infected with COVID-19 and without a history of COVID-19 at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang, Indonesia, although statistically, it is not significantly different.

Clinical-epidemiological particularities of COVID-19-affected workers from "Eduardo Agramonte Pina" Hospital of Camaguey

Introduction: The health workers are one of the most prone to becoming infected with COVID-19, due to their exposure during their relationship with patients. Background: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in workers of the Pediatric Hospital of Camaguey in the period from January to December 2021. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in a universe of 238 workers with a polymerase chain reaction-confirmed diagnosis during the aforementioned period;registered in a database. The variables studied included age group, sex, occupational category, service of origin, clinical manifestations, quarter of the year, and possible source of infection. The data were processed using the statistical program SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), version 25.0, on a Pentium IV computer. Informed consent and the bioethical principles of confidentiality of information were taken into account in the research. Results: The female sex predominated (54.7%) at ages 50-59 years. They were mostly nursing staff (29.4%), infected during the third trimester (39.9%) in the community (59.3%), presenting symptoms such as nasal discharge (32.8%) and fever (17.6%), working in the pediatric medicine wards (28.2%). Conclusions: Despite the difficult epidemiological situation, the main source of infection was the community. There were no institutional transmission events and there were no deaths.

A qualitative study on perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine among health care worker in a rural area of West Bengal, India

Background: COVID vaccines have been rolled out all over the world after emergency use authorization in the prevailing pandemic situation. However, hesitancy about its safety and efficacy exists among beneficiaries. Vaccine hesitancy can be a barrier to adequate immunization coverage. Aims and Objectives: This qualitative study was undertaken among health care workers in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care hospital, to find out their perceptions about COVID vaccines, and reasons behind hesitancy toward the same. Materials and Methods: Six focused group discussions (FGD) were held with the help of moderator. Each FGD had five members, so 30 members were included in the study. Health care workers included doctors, nurses, ANM/ASHAs, and other health care workers. Results: There were 17 males and 13 females. Doctors had a positive attitude toward vaccination, but other health care workers had mixed perception regarding vaccination. Most grass root level workers were sceptical about the efficacy of the vaccine. Conclusion: Mostly positive attitude toward COVID vaccines was observed in the present study. Hesitancy toward vaccines was observed in some health care workers, and it likely rooted from their inadequate knowledge about the vaccine.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with wastewater treatment: a seroprevalence study

The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during wastewater treatment leads to concerns about whether this process may represent a focal point for the transmission of COVID-19. An epidemiological analysis, based on a COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette, performed on 134 wastewater workers from 59 wastewater treatment plants from the province of Granada (Spain) showed a seroprevalence of 8.95% in IgG for SARS-CoV-2, which is similar to the incidence rate found for the general population of the province (9.6%;95%CI = 7.2-12.8). These findings suggest that current safety measures are sufficient for the protection of workers against SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19, long-COVID and return-to-work a questionnaire to investigate the experience of the occupational physicians from an Italian region

IntroductionThe issues related to return-to-work (RTW) after COVID-19, and the impact of long-COVID on workers' health engaged in different occupations are far to be fully acknowledged. Occupational Physicians (OPs) represent an important and competent source for the evaluation of these issues in workplaces, scant considered in research up now.Material And MethodsA literature search was performed to develop a questionnaire targeting the Italian OPs. The survey collects data on COVID-19 related RTW issues and on long-COVID symptoms occurrence in workers of Emilia-Romagna region (Italy).ResultsThe questionnaire involves three sections. The first with general information on the OPs activity (industrial sector and types of companies followed, main occupational hazards, health surveillance programs carried out). The second section is about long-COVID, defined according to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A list of 22 symptoms based on a systematic search in MedLine has been developed asthenia;air hunger;chest tightness;memory/concentration problems;mental confusion;joint/muscle pain;sleep disorders;heart palpitations;dizziness;tingling/dysesthesia;gastrointestinal problems;depression and/or anxiety;tinnitus;inappetence;low-grade fever;high-grade fever;cough;headache;sore-throat;changes in smell/taste;skin rashes;other symptoms (to be specified). The main characteristics of the workers with long-COVID (age, gender, concomitant diseases, vaccination, smoking habit, body weight and previous infections etc.) and the frequency of the long-COVID symptoms are collected. The last section investigates RTW issues, to quantify the impact of the phenomenon in terms of workers involved, main characteristics of subjects with RTW problems, and implications for their work-ability.ConclusionsUsing the OPs direct experience as source of information, the study is aimed to develop new knowledge on the long-term impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on workers' health, specifically considering RTW issues and the occurrence of long-COVID symptoms.