Occupational exposures and mitigation strategies among homeless shelter workers at risk of COVID-19

Autor: Tashina Robinson, Farrell A Tobolowsky, Rebecca L. Laws, Ryan Keating, Emily Mosites, Karin Huster, Carol Y. Rao, Elysia Gonzales, Temet M. McMichael
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Male
RNA viruses
Viral Diseases
Economics
Coronaviruses
Epidemiology
Cross-sectional study
Social Sciences
Medical Conditions
Sociology
Cell Movement
Risk Factors
Pandemic
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine
Public and Occupational Health
Pathology and laboratory medicine
Virus Testing
Multidisciplinary
Middle Aged
Medical microbiology
Infectious Diseases
Work (electrical)
Viruses
Social Systems
Engineering and Technology
Female
Safety Equipment
SARS CoV 2
Pathogens
Safety
Research Article
Adult
Employment
COVID-19 Vaccines
SARS coronavirus
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Science
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Equipment
Jobs
Microbiology
Young Adult
Diagnostic Medicine
Occupational Exposure
Environmental health
Humans
Personal protective equipment
Aged
Biology and life sciences
Binary outcome
SARS-CoV-2
business.industry
fungi
Organisms
Viral pathogens
COVID-19
Covid 19
Work environment
Microbial pathogens
Cross-Sectional Studies
Homeless shelter
Labor Economics
Medical Risk Factors
business
Zdroj: PLoS ONE
PLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 11 (2021)
PLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 11, p e0253108 (2021)
ISSN: 1932-6203
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253108
Popis: Objective: To describe the work environment and COVID-19 mitigation measures for homeless shelter workers and to assess occupational risk factors for COVID-19 infection Methods: Between June 9 and August 10, 2020, we conducted a self-administered, web-based survey among homeless shelter workers in Washington, Massachusetts, Utah, Maryland, and Georgia, in shelters where at least 1 staff person had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. We calculated frequencies for demographics, work environment, personal protective equipment use, and SARS-CoV-2 testing history. We used generalized linear models with a binary outcome (COVID-19 positivity) and a log link, clustered by shelter network, to produce unadjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for demographics, work environment, and mitigation measures. Results: Of the 106 respondents, 43.4% reported frequent close contact with clients and 85.8% reported wearing a mask most or all of the time; 75% reported being worried about being infected with SARS-CoV-2 at work; 15% reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of those who reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, 80% (12/15) believed they were infected at work. Frequent close contact with clients was significantly associated with testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 (PR 3.97, 95% CI 1.06, 14.93). Conclusions: Homeless shelter workers may be at higher risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the course of their work. Protecting these critical essential workers by implementing mitigation measures and prioritizing for COVID-19 vaccination, is imperative during the pandemic.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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