COVID-19 Risk Factors Among Healthcare Workers: Association with Non-Communicable Diseases

Strategic Insights -

Research findings from the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone have highlighted the increased risk of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study, published in F1000Research, examined the association between NCDs and COVID-19 disease severity and mortality among infected HCWs. The results suggest that obesity and diabetes mellitus increased the risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality, indicating a critical need to address these conditions to reduce the impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 95.7% of HCWs (17,502 participants) had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, with 51.42% having no comorbidities, 29.28% having one comorbidity, and 14.68% having two comorbidities.
  • Obesity and diabetes mellitus were identified as significant risk factors for COVID-19 severity and mortality among HCWs, with an increased risk of death and population-attributable fraction.
  • The study concluded that reducing the prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus would yield the biggest reduction in COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality among HCWs.
  • The majority of HCWs in the study were female (66.5%), with a mean age of 49.8 (14.3) years.
  • The study provides critical insights into the need to address NCDs to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers.

Statistics:

  • 95.7% of HCWs (17,502 participants) had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
  • 51.42% of HCWs had no comorbidities.
  • 29.28% of HCWs had one comorbidity.
  • 14.68% of HCWs had two comorbidities.
  • The mean age of HCWs in the study was 49.8 (14.3) years.
  • Obesity and diabetes mellitus increased the risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality among HCWs.

Sources:

  • "The association between non-communicable diseases and COVID-19 severity and mortality among infected hospitalized healthcare workers in 29 countries: a cohort study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]." F1000Research, 2025,13.
  • Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone.
  • International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC) database.
  • Sartie Kenneh, Ministry of Health, 4th Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
  • Mustapha Kabba, Innocent Nuwagira, Sia Morenike Tengbe, Jacklyne Ashubwe, Pryanka Relan, Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara, Francis Moses, Jonta Kamara, Santigie Sesay, Ibrahima Kaba, Mamud Idriss Kamara, Fassou Mathias Grovogui, Abdulai Tejan Jalloh, Mher Beglaryan, Yusuf Sheku Tejan, Shermarke Hassan, Jerry-Jonas Mbasha.