Occupational risk of COVID-19 related hospital admission in Skåne, Sweden: A register-based cohort study

Purpose: Given the paucity of data regarding workplace risk of COVID-19, particularly from countries with limited lockdowns, we aimed to quantify the occupational risks of COVID-19-related hospital admission among workers in Sweden. Methods: We identified 607,179 employed individuals, 20−69 years of age, in Skåne, Sweden. From December 31st, 2019—December 31st 2021, 2,633 incident COVID-19-related admissions were identified. Using a job exposure matrix for risk of becoming infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an occupational setting we delineated occupations with low work-related risk. Based on these reference occupations, incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed by Poisson regression for four-digit occupations defined by the International Standard Classification of Occupations job codes (ISCO-08). Results: After adjusting for various sociodemographic characteristics, risk compared to reference occupations was elevated among healthcare occupations as a group (IRR 1.31; 95% CI: 1.13–1.51), with nurses, healthcare assistants, and nursing aids having the highest IRRs (ranging from 1.28–1.54). In the educational sector, no apparent elevated overall risk was observed (IRR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.86–1.23). For the transportation sector, an overall excess risk was observed (IRR 1.34; 95% CI: 1.10–1.65), with bus and tram drivers having the highest risks. IRRs