COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph
Introduction: On February 16, 2021, a construction site in Harare recorded 26 COVID-19 cases during routine worker screening. Over five days, the positivity rate increased from 4.14 to 7.29%. Workplace outbreaks affect productivity. We investigated the outbreak among construction workers to deter...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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African Field Epidemiology Network
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/17/full/ |
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| author | Amanda Sarah Thakataka Joseph Mberikunashe Emmanuel Govha Tsitsi Patience Juru Notion Tafara Gombe Mufuta Tshimanga |
| author_facet | Amanda Sarah Thakataka Joseph Mberikunashe Emmanuel Govha Tsitsi Patience Juru Notion Tafara Gombe Mufuta Tshimanga |
| author_sort | Amanda Sarah Thakataka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: On February 16, 2021, a construction site in Harare recorded 26
COVID-19 cases during routine worker screening. Over five days, the positivity rate
increased from 4.14 to 7.29%. Workplace outbreaks affect productivity. We
investigated the outbreak among construction workers to determine the workplace
factors associated with contracting COVID-19. Methods: We verified the outbreak,
carried out an environmental assessment, line-listed the positive workers, and assessed
the emergency preparedness and response. A retrospective cohort study was done. We
recruited 150 workers from all 700 construction workers, obtained written consent and
used self-administered questionnaires to collect data. Epi Info 7.2.4.0™ was used for
data capturing and analysis. We conducted a univariate, bivariate and multivariate
analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression to determine the independent
factors. An Epi-curve was constructed using Epi Info and a spot map using Lucid Chart
software. Results: The response was timely but inadequate. There was overcrowding
with a sleeping space area of 1.43m2/individual against a minimum requirement of
3.5 m2/individual. Out of 150, 76 (51%) tested positive, most being male, 106/150
(71%). Independent risk factors were smoking >20 cigarettes/day (aRR=8.42; 95% CI
2.02-35.10) and sharing bathrooms and toilets with >50 people (aRR=4.28; 95% CI
1.27-14.4). Owning a hand sanitiser (aRR=0.20; 95% CI 0.06-0.67) and prior
vaccination (aRR=0.16; 95% CI 0.05-0.48) were protective factors.
Conclusion: Overcrowding resulted in poor hygiene and shared facilities propagated
the outbreak. The benefit of preventive behaviour and COVID-19 vaccination was
shown. We recommended for enforcement of infection prevention measures and the
reduction of exposures in the workplace.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b6f0f5a47bb4678a1692d8d6844e8ef |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2664-2824 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | African Field Epidemiology Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b6f0f5a47bb4678a1692d8d6844e8ef2025-08-20T03:12:05ZengAfrican Field Epidemiology NetworkJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health2664-28242024-04-0172https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph.2024.7.2.108COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph Amanda Sarah Thakataka0Joseph Mberikunashe1Emmanuel Govha2Tsitsi Patience Juru3Notion Tafara Gombe4Mufuta Tshimanga5Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe2National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Primary Health Care Sciences, Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Primary Health Care Sciences, Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweAfrican Field Epidemiology Network, Harare, ZimbabweDepartment of Primary Health Care Sciences, Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, ZimbabweIntroduction: On February 16, 2021, a construction site in Harare recorded 26 COVID-19 cases during routine worker screening. Over five days, the positivity rate increased from 4.14 to 7.29%. Workplace outbreaks affect productivity. We investigated the outbreak among construction workers to determine the workplace factors associated with contracting COVID-19. Methods: We verified the outbreak, carried out an environmental assessment, line-listed the positive workers, and assessed the emergency preparedness and response. A retrospective cohort study was done. We recruited 150 workers from all 700 construction workers, obtained written consent and used self-administered questionnaires to collect data. Epi Info 7.2.4.0™ was used for data capturing and analysis. We conducted a univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression to determine the independent factors. An Epi-curve was constructed using Epi Info and a spot map using Lucid Chart software. Results: The response was timely but inadequate. There was overcrowding with a sleeping space area of 1.43m2/individual against a minimum requirement of 3.5 m2/individual. Out of 150, 76 (51%) tested positive, most being male, 106/150 (71%). Independent risk factors were smoking >20 cigarettes/day (aRR=8.42; 95% CI 2.02-35.10) and sharing bathrooms and toilets with >50 people (aRR=4.28; 95% CI 1.27-14.4). Owning a hand sanitiser (aRR=0.20; 95% CI 0.06-0.67) and prior vaccination (aRR=0.16; 95% CI 0.05-0.48) were protective factors. Conclusion: Overcrowding resulted in poor hygiene and shared facilities propagated the outbreak. The benefit of preventive behaviour and COVID-19 vaccination was shown. We recommended for enforcement of infection prevention measures and the reduction of exposures in the workplace. https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/17/full/covid-19workplace outbreakconstruction siteretrospective cohortzimbabwe |
| spellingShingle | Amanda Sarah Thakataka Joseph Mberikunashe Emmanuel Govha Tsitsi Patience Juru Notion Tafara Gombe Mufuta Tshimanga COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health covid-19 workplace outbreak construction site retrospective cohort zimbabwe |
| title | COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph |
| title_full | COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph |
| title_short | COVID-19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in Harare, Zimbabwe February - March 2021 Amanda Sarah Thakataka, Joseph |
| title_sort | covid 19 outbreak investigation among construction workers at a construction site in harare zimbabwe february march 2021 amanda sarah thakataka joseph |
| topic | covid-19 workplace outbreak construction site retrospective cohort zimbabwe |
| url | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/17/full/ |
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