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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Dec 23;19(1):146.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19010146.

COVID-19 Prevalence among Healthcare Workers. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tafadzwa Dzinamarira  1   2 , Grant Murewanhema  3 , Malizgani Mhango  4 , Patrick Gad Iradukunda  5 , Itai Chitungo  6 , Moreblessing Mashora  7 , Pelagia Makanda  8 , James Atwine  8 , Munashe Chimene  9 , Elliot Mbunge  10 , Munyaradzi Paul Mapingure  2 , Innocent Chingombe  2 , Godfrey Musuka  2 , Sphamandla Josias Nkambule  11 , Bernard Ngara  6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

COVID-19 Prevalence among Healthcare Workers. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tafadzwa Dzinamarira et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Understanding the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers is a critical component to inform occupational health policy and strategy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to map and analayse the available global evidence on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers. The random-effects adjusted pooled prevalence of COVID-19 among those studies that conducted the test using the antibody (Ab) method was 7% [95% CI: 3 to 17%]. The random-effects adjusted pooled prevalence of COVID-19 among those studies that conducted the test using the PCR method was 11% [95% CI: 7 to 16%]. We found the burden of COVID-19 among healthcare workers to be quite significant and therefore a cause for global health concern. Furthermore, COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers affect service delivery through workers' sick leave, the isolation of confirmed cases and quarantine of contacts, all of which place significant strain on an already shrunken health workforce.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; healthcare worker; meta-analysis; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Forest plot showing the prevalence of COVID-19 among studies using the antibody method of test.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot showing the prevalence of COVID-19 among studies using the PCR method of test.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot showing the incidence rate of COVID-19 among studies using the antibody method of test.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot showing the incidence rate of COVID-19 among studies using the PCR method of test.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot showing the risk of COVID-19 between patient and non-patient facing HCWs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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