Study of the vulnerability and risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 of interns and residents in the Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center (IR-UHC) in Casablanca

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Healthcare workers are very exposed to SARS-CoV-2, that’s causing a vulnerability issue for some of them. The presence of certain risk factors in these workers requires an assessment of the risk of exposure. Patients and methods: Our study is a cross-sectional descriptive survey by self-questionnaire posted on Google Forms from June 1st to July 31, 2021, intended for residents and interns at IR-UHC. Our objective is to assess the vulnerability and degree of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 through an appropriate risk level matrix. Results: 280 physicians responded, 36% were vulnerable, mainly asthma (39%), or on corticosteroid therapy (37%). 95% were at high risk of exposure. The level of risk was classified as critical among two-thirds of physicians, of which 67.7% were working shifts in Covid-19 units, 19% were working in a radiology department, 10% in an intensive care unit and 2% in a biology department;less than a third of the doctors presented an unacceptable level of risk of which 72.2% were on Covid-19 shifts, 7% were working in a radiology department and 2% in a biology department.The lack of availability of PPE was found in 64% of doctors. 65.4% of the doctors questioned were infected with Covid 19, of which 70.2% had moderate infection and 6.1% severe one. Conclusion: The high-risk level of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among physicians requires the strengthening of preventive measures, and especially the involvement of occupational physicians in the decision of medical aptitude for the post of vulnerable staff.