Mostafa Sadeghi; Peyman Saberian; Parisa Hasani-Sharamin; Fatemeh Dadashi; Sepideh Babaniamansour; Ehsan Aliniagerdroudbari
Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2021, , Pages 67-72
Abstract
Objective: To assess the possible factors associated with increasing risk of COVID-19 among EMTs. Methods: This study was a case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. Case group was consisted of confirmed COVID-19 EMTs based on the results of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or lung ...
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Objective: To assess the possible factors associated with increasing risk of COVID-19 among EMTs. Methods: This study was a case-control study conducted in Tehran, Iran. Case group was consisted of confirmed COVID-19 EMTs based on the results of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or lung computed tomography scan. Healthy EMTs were randomly selected as control group. Patients were asked to fill out a checklist including demographic data, data related to the work situation (such as number of missions and type of mask and cloth) and PPE precautions. Results: Sixty-eight patients and 148 healthy persons took part in this study as case and control group, respectively. Having two EMTs involved directly in taking care of patients (p <0.001) and working with a confirmed case teammate (p <0.001), considering the precautions such as seal check after wearing the mask (p=0.015), covering the hair with a medical hat (p <0.001), not using personal items despite protective clothing (p <0.001), and avoiding contact with the outer surface of clothing while removing (p <0.001) had significant difference in two groups. Conclusion: We found that the type and method of use of PPE were correlated with the increasing risk of COVID-19 in EMTs. Also, we found that when two EMTs were involved directly in taking care of the patients, and those who worked with a confirmed case teammate, more frequently affected.
