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Abstract Introduction: The nose and throat are areas of high viral load, which could place otolaryngologists at an even higher risk for COVID-19 than other health-care workers. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in otorhinolaryngologists in southern Brazil, its relationship to demographic data, professional practice and reported symptoms of COVID-19, and compare it with official data on other health-care workers of the state and the general population in the same period. Methods: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, otolaryngologists actively practicing officially registered in Rio Grande do Sul were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from August 1 to September 15, 2020. A questionnaire was also applied. Results: We screened 358 (80.1%) of 447 actively practicing otolaryngologists (195 [54.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 47.77 [13.57] years; range, 26-84 years). Twenty-three were positive for IgM and/or IgG (6.4%). This result was significantly associated with reports of infected household contacts (19/315 negatives and 8/23 positives; p<0.001). From 23 seropositive participants, 14 were asymptomatic (60.9%; p< 0.001). There were no significant associations between seroconversion and age, sex, number of patient appointments and surgical procedures, workplace (hospital or private practice), patients with or without respiratory symptoms, or level of personal protective equipment used. The rate of COVID-19 in all health-care workers in the state was 7.69% at the end of the same period. Data from state government seroprevalence was 5.26 (risk ratio [RR]; 95% CI 3.27-8.45) and 4.66 (RR; 95% CI 2.93-7.43) times higher in otolaryngologists than in the general population in August and September, respectively. Conclusion: Otolaryngologists had a higher seroconversion rate than the general population. Using personal protective equipment, the level of occupational exposure did not result in higher rates of infection than other health-care workers, but the presence of infected household contacts was associated with higher rates of seroconversion.
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Background: Otolaryngologists have a higher risk of physical/psychological problems due to their frequent exposure to SARS-CoV-2. There is no information about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of these specialists in low/middle-income countries from Latin America. This study aimed to assess the frequency of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as the changes in occupational and daily activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of pediatric otolaryngologists in Latin America. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study conducted between October and December 2020. Mental health tools such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 were applied. Fear to COVID-19 scale and questionnaires about occupational and daily activities were also applied. Results: Among 55 pediatric otolaryngologists, the frequency of anxiety, depression, and stress were 67.3%, 45.5, and 40%, respectively. Up to 27.3% of the specialists reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety, while 7.3 and 40% presented moderate depression and stress symptoms. The specialists reported a reduction of 58.3% of their consultations, as well as a 51.7% reduction in their monthly income compared to the same period before the pandemic. Up to 14.6% of the specialists expect to incorporate long-term (>1 year) drastic changes in their daily activities due to the pandemic. Conclusions: The frequency of anxiety, depression, and stress was high among pediatric otolaryngologists in Latin America compared to previous studies performed in high-income countries. Further research on these psychological outcomes is needed to achieve early mental health strategies.
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COVID-19 , Humanos , Criança , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Pandemias , Saúde Mental , SARS-CoV-2 , Otorrinolaringologistas/psicologia , Estudos Transversais , América Latina/epidemiologia , Depressão/epidemiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The nose and throat are areas of high viral load, which could place otolaryngologists at an even higher risk for COVID-19 than other health-care workers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in otorhinolaryngologists in southern Brazil, its relationship to demographic data, professional practice and reported symptoms of COVID-19, and compare it with official data on other health-care workers of the state and the general population in the same period. METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, otolaryngologists actively practicing officially registered in Rio Grande do Sul were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from August 1 to September 15, 2020. A questionnaire was also applied. RESULTS: We screened 358 (80.1%) of 447 actively practicing otolaryngologists (195 [54.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 47.77 [13.57] years; range, 26-84 years). Twenty-three were positive for IgM and/or IgG (6.4%). This result was significantly associated with reports of infected household contacts (19/315 negatives and 8/23 positives; pâ¯<â¯0.001). From 23 seropositive participants, 14 were asymptomatic (60.9%; pâ¯<â¯0.001). There were no significant associations between seroconversion and age, sex, number of patient appointments and surgical procedures, workplace (hospital or private practice), patients with or without respiratory symptoms, or level of personal protective equipment used. The rate of COVID-19 in all health-care workers in the state was 7.69% at the end of the same period. Data from state government seroprevalence was 5.26 (risk ratio [RR]; 95% CI 3.27-8.45) and 4.66 (RR; 95% CI 2.93-7.43) times higher in otolaryngologists than in the general population in August and September, respectively. CONCLUSION: Otolaryngologists had a higher seroconversion rate than the general population. Using personal protective equipment, the level of occupational exposure did not result in higher rates of infection than other health-care workers, but the presence of infected household contacts was associated with higher rates of seroconversion.
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COVID-19 , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/diagnóstico , SARS-CoV-2 , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Otorrinolaringologistas , Estudos Transversais , Imunoglobulina G , Imunoglobulina MAssuntos
COVID-19 , Pandemias , Alergistas , Ansiedade , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Depressão , Humanos , Saúde Mental , Otorrinolaringologistas , Prevalência , SARS-CoV-2 , Estresse PsicológicoRESUMO
Introducción: Constantemente se menciona que existe un déficit de otorrinolaringólogos en Chile. Se desconoce la distribución entre el sector público y privado de salud. Objetivo: Determinar la cantidad y distribución de los otorrinolaringólogos que trabajan en el sector público y privado de salud en Chile. Material y método: Estudio de corte transversal para el que se usaron registros del Ministerio de Salud, Sociedad Chilena de Otorrinolaringología, Superintendencia de Salud y del Departamento de Estadísticas e Información en Salud. Resultados: Se aprecia que hay 152 especialistas que trabajan en el sector público, en contraste con los 405 totales del país, correspondiendo a 37,5% de los profesionales que trabajan en el sectorpúblico. Al evaluar el total de otorrinolaringólogos registrados a nivel nacionaly la población total se obtiene una relación de 1 otorrinolaringólogo/42.589 habitantes, mientras que la relación de otorrinolaringólogos que trabajan en sector público con población beneficiaria de FONASA es de 1 otorrinolaringólogo/85.162 habitantes. Discusión: El principal problema en Chile no es la cantidad de otorrinolaringólogos, sino su distribución, la que es muy asimétrica. Esto es considerando sólo el número de otorrinolaringólogos, no su carga horaria, ya que al evaluar esta relación probablemente la asimetría aumentaría aún más. Es necesario fomentar la permanencia de los especialistas en el sector público.
Introduction: Constantly there are mentions that there is a shortage of otolaryngologists in Chile. It is unknown the reality of the distribution between public and private health sector. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the amount and distribution of otolaryngologists working in the public and private health sector in Chile. Material and method: A cross sectional study that used the records of the Ministry of Health, Chilean Society of Otolaryngology, Superintendent of Health, and Department of Health Statistics and Information. Results: There are 152 specialists working in the public sector, in contrast to the 405 total in the country, corresponding to 37,5(0)% of total professionals working in the public sector. In assessing the relationship between total otolaryngologists in the country with the total population, and otolaryngologists working in the public sector and the beneficiary population of FONASA, there is a relationship of 1 ORL/42.589 and 1 ORL/85.162 inhabitants, respectively. Discussion: The main problem in Chile is not the amount of otolaryngologists, but its distribution, which is very asymmetric between the private and public sector. It is necessary to promote the retention of specialists in the public sector.