Risk Factors among Health Care Workers Suffering from Corona Virus- 19 in Beni Suief Hospitals in Egypt

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in day-to-day significant existential stress
associated with the loss of many patients, colleagues, or loved ones. Health Care Workers (HCWs) are
the frontline defense in our war against COVID-19 and a high risk of infection. Aim: to assess risk
factors among health care workers suffering from corona virus-19 in Beni Suief hospital in Egypt.
Design: A descriptive exploratory research design was used in the current study. Setting: This study was
conducted in all units in Beni Suief hospitals in Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample of 107 healthcare
workers (8 physicians, 14 registered nurses, 70 technical nurses, 2 radiologists , 1 physical therapist,
1medical engineer devices 1, 2 pharmacists, 4 laboratory personnel, 2 cleaners and 3 others) who were
previously affected by COVID-19. Tools: An interviewing questionnaire was used for data collection,
which included seven parts. Results: Regarding factors affecting HCWs who were diagnosed with
COVID-19, 97.20% were present when any aerosol-generating procedures which performed on the
patient, 85.05% had direct contact with the environment where the confirmed COVID-19 patient was
cared for, e.g. bed, linen, and 80.37% had face-to-face contact (within 1 meter) with a confirmed
COVID-19 patient in a health care facility, while 78.50% were providing direct care to a confirmed
COVID-19 patient in a health care facility, and 67.29% had interactions with multiple COVID-19
patients in health care facilities. Conclusion: Regarding factors affecting HCWs who were diagnosed
with COVID-19, most of them were present when any aerosol-generating procedures were performed on
the patient, had direct contact with the environment where the confirmed COVID-19 patient was cared
for, e.g. bed, linen, had face-to-face contact (within 1 meter) with a confirmed COVID-19 patient in a
health care facility, providing direct care to a confirmed COVID-19 patient, and had interactions with
multiple COVID-19 patients in a health care facility. HCW are exposed to the hazards that put them in
danger of infection. Hazards include exposure to patients with high viral load, long working hours,
Psychological distress and dilemmas ,burnout from fatigue, stigma, and physical violence.
Recommendations: Provide job- or task-specific education and training on preventing transmission of
infectious agents. Expanding protective measures as digitalized or telemedicine services could potentially
reduce patient contact and thus risks for infection.