Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: During Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, health-care workers (HCWs) may experience an increased risk of infection due to their close contact with highly infectious patients, and also due to exposure to undiagnosed or subclinical infectious cases. This could be even more problematic, considering the poor access to personal protective equipment especially in countries with a complex humanitarian emergency like Yemen. This study describes clinical-epidemiological characteristic of HCWs affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection in Yemen.

Methods: The study is based on retrospective analysis of available data from 15 March to 27 December 2020, as compiled by the Disease Control and Surveillance Team in selected Governorates-Yemen.

Results: A total of 414 including 32 deaths of HCWs, with the onset of symptoms between 15 March and 27 December 2020 were reported through the surveillance system in Yemen. Of the total 414, 38.2% were laboratory confirmed and 61.8% clinically suspected. Most cases were recorded from Hadramout governorate. Three hundred and fifteen were males (76.1%), and 99 (23.9%) were females, (male to female Ratio being 3.18:1). The overall median age of the recorded cases was 37 years and the most affected HCWs were between 30-44 years. Hypertension (5.6%) and Diabetes Mellites (4.8%) were the most common comorbidities among those who died. No underlying conditions were reported in 83.8 % of the cases.

Conclusion: Yemeni HCW are at high risk for getting SARS-CoV-2. Thus, they should be given high priority for vaccine against SARS-CoV2 and the immediate implementation of infection prevention and control program at health care settings is highly recommended

Keywords: SARS-CoV2, Yemen, HCWs, Surveillance, Infection.

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