Publication:

Occupational COVID-19 exposure among health care workers in obstetric unit in a Central Government Hospital in India: initial experience

Background Health care workers (HCW) are the frontline warriors who are at a high risk of acquiring the COVID-19. HCW in obstetrical department are at high-risk due to their close proximity with the patient for examination, giving treatment and in delivery. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the positivity rate of COVID-19 in the initial 3 months of pandemic in health care personnel working in obstetric unit in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods Prospective cohort study was conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology at tertiary care hospital in Delhi from 10 April to 10 June 2020. Predesigned questionnaire was used to record data of HCWs exposed to COVID-19 patients.

Results In a period of 3 months (April-June 2020), 152 health care workers were exposed to 30 COVID-19 patients.  Out of this, 10 HCW were found to be positive on testing, showing a positivity rate of 6.58%. Positivity ratio was 6:3:1 among nurses, auxiliary workers and doctors respectively. Labor room was area of high infection as 80% of HCW were infected in the labor room .80% HCW acquired infection during patient care in hospital and 20% were infected in contact with asymptomatic COVID-19 positive HCW.

Conclusions Positivity rate in obstetric department is comparable to that of general population. Appropriate infection prevention measures like use of PPE, handwashing and maintain safe distance from the patient is the key to prevention of infection. Gloves and N95 masks have been shown to provide superior protection as compared to triple layer masks. Nursing staff and auxiliary workers should be reinforced the importance of use of PPE, hand hygiene and physical distancing.