The Role of Infection Control Measures in Ophthalmology: Do They Prevent COVID-19 Infection Among Ophthalmologists in Egypt? A Survey-Based Study
| Autor: | Shaimaa Abdalaleem Abdalgeleel, Moushira Hosny Ezzelarab, Doaa Ahmed Tolba, Sara Mamdouh Esmat, Mohammad Refaat Aboulfotouh |
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| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
Infection risk Respiratory illness Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) business.industry Risk of infection ophthalmologists COVID-19 Clinical Ophthalmology infection control Infection rate Ophthalmology Young age Infection control Medicine Outpatient clinic business Original Research |
| Zdroj: | Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) |
| ISSN: | 1177-5483 |
| DOI: | 10.2147/opth.s334252 |
| Popis: | Sara M Esmat,1 Mohammad R Aboulfotouh,1 Moushira H Ezzelarab,2 Shaimaa A Abdalgeleel,3 Doaa A Tolba1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Sara M EsmatDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, EgyptTel +201069186501Email dr.sara_mamdouh@hotmail.comIntroduction: Ophthalmologists are at a high risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection owing to their working environments and proximity to patients during examinations. Compliance with infection control measures in examination offices can lessen the risk of infection to this group. In Egypt, several deaths from COVID-19 have been reported among ophthalmologists; therefore, we studied the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in this group and assessed ophthalmologistsâ commitments to recommended infection control measures.Aim: To evaluate the rate of COVID-19 infections among ophthalmologists, identify risk factors for infections, and evaluate ophthalmologistsâ commitments to infection control measures in their medical facilities.Methods: An online questionnaire was designed and distributed to ophthalmologists in the Cairo Governorate from May 1, 2021 to mid-June 2021.Results: Out of 161 responders, the percentage of COVID-19 infections was 52.8% (85 responders). This was significantly higher among younger ophthalmologists (P-value = 0.019) and those with fewer years of experience (P-value = 0.010). Adopting full precautions while examining patients with or without respiratory illness were significantly associated with a lower infection rate (P-value = 0.019 and 0.046, respectively). A significantly higher infection rate was reported for ophthalmologists who examined known COVID-19 patients at outpatient clinics, even when taking precautions (P-value = 0.032). A lower rate of COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with adopting full precautions while operating on suspected or nonsuspected COVID-19 patients (P-value = 0.007 and 0.003, respectively).Conclusion: Both young age and limited experience were significant infection risk factors in our study. The most important infection control measures that significantly decreased infection risks were adherence to full protective measures while working in outpatient clinics and operating rooms.Keywords: COVID-19, infection control, ophthalmologists |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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