Y Wang1, W Wu2, Z Cheng3, X Tan4, Z Yang5, X Zeng6, B Mei7, Z Ni8, X Wang9. 1. Department of Infection Management, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 2. School of Public Health and Management, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China; School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 3. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 4. School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 5. Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 6. Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 7. Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 8. School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China. 9. Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: wangxinghuan@whu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Globally, there have been many cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among medical staff; however, the main factors associated with the infection are not well understood. AIM: To identify the super-factors causing COVID-19 infection in medical staff in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1st and February 30th, 2020, in which front-line members of medical staff who took part in the care and treatment of patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Epidemiological and demographic data between infected and uninfected groups were collected and compared. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to establish socio-metric social links between influencing factors. FINDINGS: A total of 92 medical staff were enrolled. In all participant groups, the super-factor identified by the network was wearing a medical protective mask or surgical mask correctly (degree: 572; closeness: 25; betweenness centrality: 3.23). Touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working was the super-factor in the infected group. This was the biggest node in the network and had the strongest influence (degree: 370; closeness: 29; betweenness centrality: 0.37). Self-protection score was the super-factor in the uninfected group but was the isolated factor in the infected group (degree: 201; closeness: 28; betweenness centrality: 5.64). For family members, the exposure history to Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market and the contact history to wild animals were two isolated nodes. CONCLUSION: High self-protection score was the main factor that prevented medical staff from contracting COVID-19 infection. The main factor contributing to COVID-19 infections among medical staff was touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working.
BACKGROUND: Globally, there have been many cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among medical staff; however, the main factors associated with the infection are not well understood. AIM: To identify the super-factors causing COVID-19infection in medical staff in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1st and February 30th, 2020, in which front-line members of medical staff who took part in the care and treatment of patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Epidemiological and demographic data between infected and uninfected groups were collected and compared. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to establish socio-metric social links between influencing factors. FINDINGS: A total of 92 medical staff were enrolled. In all participant groups, the super-factor identified by the network was wearing a medical protective mask or surgical mask correctly (degree: 572; closeness: 25; betweenness centrality: 3.23). Touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working was the super-factor in the infected group. This was the biggest node in the network and had the strongest influence (degree: 370; closeness: 29; betweenness centrality: 0.37). Self-protection score was the super-factor in the uninfected group but was the isolated factor in the infected group (degree: 201; closeness: 28; betweenness centrality: 5.64). For family members, the exposure history to Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market and the contact history to wild animals were two isolated nodes. CONCLUSION: High self-protection score was the main factor that prevented medical staff from contracting COVID-19infection. The main factor contributing to COVID-19infections among medical staff was touching the cheek, nose, and mouth while working.