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Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Employees in Outpatient Care Services in Hamburg

Author

Listed:
  • Anja Schablon

    (Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Volker Harth

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Claudia Terschüren

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Olaf Kleinmüller

    (Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Claudia Wohlert

    (Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Claudia Schnabel

    (Laboratory of Fenner and Colleagues, Bergstrasse 14, 20095 Hamburg, Germany
    Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Semmelweis University, Lohmühlenstrasse 5, 20099 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Thomas Theo Brehm

    (Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Julian Schulze zur Wiesch

    (Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Jan Felix Kersten

    (Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany
    Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health (AGG), Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is particularly high for healthcare workers during the pandemic. Home care workers visit many different households per shift. Encounters with mostly elderly patients and their relatives increase the potential for the undetected spread of SARS-CoV-2. In order to gain insight into the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and possible transmission risks in outpatient care, this follow-up study was conducted with nursing services in Hamburg. The aim was to estimate the dynamics of seroprevalence in this occupational group over a 12-month period, to identify occupation-specific risk factors, and to collect information on the vaccination status of the surveyed nursing staff. Antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 IgG against the S1 domain (EUROIMUN Analyser I ® Lübeck, Germany) was performed on participating healthcare workers with patient contact at a total of four time points within one year from July 2020 to October 2021 (baseline, follow-up after three, six and twelve months). The data were mostly analysed descriptively. Differences in IgG titres were analysed using variance analysis methods, particularly Tukey’s range test. The seroprevalence was 1.2% (8/678) at baseline and 1.5% (9/581) at the three-month follow-up (T1). At the second follow-up (T2) after six months, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was available from January 2021 onwards. The prevalence rate of positive IgG antibodies relative to the S1 domain of the spike protein test among unvaccinated individuals was 6.5%. At (T3) after twelve months (July to October 2021), 482 participants were enrolled, and 85.7% of the workers were considered fully vaccinated at this time point, while 51 individuals were unvaccinated. The prevalence was 13.7% (7/51). In our study, a low seroprevalence was found among home care workers, which was lower than in our studies conducted in the clinical setting. Therefore, it can be assumed that the occupational risk of infection is rather low for both the nursing staff and the patients/clients cared for in the outpatient setting. The good provision of protective equipment and the high vaccination rate of the staff probably had a positive influence.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja Schablon & Volker Harth & Claudia Terschüren & Olaf Kleinmüller & Claudia Wohlert & Claudia Schnabel & Thomas Theo Brehm & Julian Schulze zur Wiesch & Jan Felix Kersten & Albert Nienhaus, 2023. "Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Employees in Outpatient Care Services in Hamburg," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:8:p:5599-:d:1128606
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Claudia Peters & Madeleine Dulon & Claudia Westermann & Agnessa Kozak & Albert Nienhaus, 2022. "Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Workers in Health and Social Services in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Albert Nienhaus, 2021. "COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany—An Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, August.
    3. Chiara Airoldi & Filippo Patrucco & Fulvia Milano & Daniela Alessi & Andrea Sarro & Maicol Andrea Rossi & Tiziana Cena & Silvio Borrè & Fabrizio Faggiano, 2021. "High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers in a North Italy Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, March.
    4. Martin Platten & Albert Nienhaus & Claudia Peters & Rita Cranen & Hilmar Wisplinghoff & Jan Felix Kersten & Alexander Daniel Bach & Guido Michels, 2022. "Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
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