COVID-19 Study Reveals Healthcare Workers' Risk of Infection and Resilience

Strategic Insights -

Investigations conducted from August 2020 to August 2021 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) revealed the risk of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs). The study, published in the National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences, assessed the risk of HCWs exposed to COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. A total of 1600 HCWs were included in the study, divided into two groups: high-risk and low-risk. The results showed that females were more prone to the risk of infection than males, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 (1.13-3.28). HCWs with confirmed exposure to COVID-19 patients were also more prone to the risk of infection, with an OR of 196.9 (19.78-1960.7). The study concluded that HCWs in the high-risk group were less infected than the low-risk group.

Key Takeaways:

  • Females were 1.9 times more prone to the risk of infection than males (OR 1.9, 1.13-3.28, p=0.015).
  • HCWs with confirmed exposure to COVID-19 patients were 196.9 times more prone to the risk of infection (OR 196.9, 19.78-1960.7, p=0.001).
  • HCWs who were exposed to biological secretory materials of COVID-19 patients were more prone to COVID-19 infection, including needle stick injury (OR 0.229, 0.056-0.931, p=0.039).
  • The study revealed that HCWs in the high-risk group were less infected than the low-risk group, contradicting the common perception of HCWs.
  • The research was funded by National Board of Examinations and published in the National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences.

Statistics:

  • 1600 HCWs were included in the study.
  • Females represented 52% of the study participants.
  • HCWs in the high-risk group had a lower infection rate (14.5%) compared to the low-risk group (34.6%).
  • HCWs with confirmed exposure to COVID-19 patients had an average of 5.2 exposures.
  • Needle stick injuries were reported in 12% of the HCWs.

Sources:

  • Exposure to Empowerment in COVID-19: Healthcare workers' resilience for future Pandemics. National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences, 2025, Volume 3(7):851-861.
  • NewsRx. Studies from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Describe New Findings in COVID-19 (Exposure to Empowerment in COVID-19: Healthcare workers' resilience for future Pandemics). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. July 27, 2025; p 203.