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. 2022 Apr 21;12(4):e056637.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056637.

COVID-19 among workers of a comprehensive cancer centre between first and second epidemic waves (2020): a seroprevalence study in Catalonia, Spain

Paula Peremiquel-Trillas #  1   2   3   4 , Anna Saura-Lázaro #  1   2 , Yolanda Benavente-Moreno  1   2   3 , Delphine Casabonne  1   2   3 , Eva Loureiro  5   6 , Sandra Cabrera  7 , Angela Duran  8 , Lidia Garrote  9 , Immaculada Brao  10 , Jordi Trelis  4   11 , Maica Galán  12 , Francesc Soler  13 , Joaquim Julià  14   15 , Dolça Cortasa  16 , Maria Ángeles Domínguez  17   18   19 , Adaia Albasanz-Puig  20   21   22 , Carlota Gudiol  20   21   22 , Dolors Ramírez-Tarruella  23 , Joan Muniesa  5 , Juan Pedro Rivas  5 , Carles Muñoz-Montplet  5   24   25 , Ana Sedano  26 , Àngel Plans  27 , Beatriz Calvo-Cerrada  27 , Candela Calle  28 , Ana Clopés  29 , Dolors Carnicer-Pont  2   30   31   32 , Laia Alemany  1   2   3 , Esteve Fernández  33   4   30   31   32
Affiliations

COVID-19 among workers of a comprehensive cancer centre between first and second epidemic waves (2020): a seroprevalence study in Catalonia, Spain

Paula Peremiquel-Trillas et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with cancer are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 surveillance of workers in oncological centres is crucial to assess infection burden and prevent transmission. We estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a comprehensive cancer centre in Catalonia, Spain, and analyse its association with sociodemographic characteristics, exposure factors and behaviours.

Design: Cross-sectional study (21 May 2020-26 June 2020).

Setting: A comprehensive cancer centre (Institut Català d'Oncologia) in Catalonia, Spain.

Participants: All HCWs (N=1969) were invited to complete an online self-administered epidemiological survey and provide a blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection.

Primary outcome measure: Prevalence (%) and 95% CIs of seropositivity together with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% CI were estimated.

Results: A total of 1266 HCWs filled the survey (participation rate: 64.0%) and 1238 underwent serological testing (97.8%). The median age was 43.7 years (p25-p75: 34.8-51.0 years), 76.0% were female, 52.0% were nursing or medical staff and 79.0% worked on-site during the pandemic period. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 8.9% (95% CI 7.44% to 10.63%), with no differences by age and sex. No significant differences in terms of seroprevalence were observed between onsite workers and teleworkers. Seropositivity was associated with living with a person with COVID-19 (aPR 3.86, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.98). Among on-site workers, seropositive participants were twofold more likely to be nursing or medical staff. Nursing and medical staff working in a COVID-19 area showed a higher seroprevalence than other staff (aPR 2.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.52).

Conclusions: At the end of the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among Institut Català d'Oncologia HCW was lower than the reported in other Spanish hospitals. The main risk factors were sharing household with infected people and contact with COVID-19 patients and colleagues. Strengthening preventive measures and health education among HCW is fundamental.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antibody; epidemiology; health care workers; seroprevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: JJ received research funding from Kyowa Kirin and from Angelini Pharma for congress attendance. The Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme has received grants from Merck & Co., Roche, GSK, IDT, Hologic and Seegene.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants' flow chart in the seroprevalence survey, Catalan Institute of Oncology. 21 May 2020–26 June 2020; Spain.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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