Determining the risk level of covid-19 infection of medical workers

Introduction. The primary task in assessing the probable risk of infection is to identify potential threats to the health and well-being of the population, determine the risks associated with the occupational activities of workers in various fields, including medical workers of various specialties, as well as analyze the effectiveness of measures already implemented to prevent them. Materials and methods. An analysis of literature data in the Russian and English-language segments, own and dissertation research was carried out, significant factors in the spread of COVID-19 for medical workers of different specialties were identified. Results. Based on the results of own research, the most significant risk factor in the spread of COVID-19 for medical workers was identified – failure to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters (49.5%). An assessment was made of the level of probable risk of COVID-19 infection in the workplace for medical workers. The majority estimated the probable risk of infection at 1–2 points, which is moderate or low. Doctors – epidemiologists: about 48% of respondents spend more than 5 hours in the outbreak; 55.0% maintain a social distance of 1–1.5 meters; 65.0% of respondents visit 1–2 centers per day. General practitioners: 42.6% have contact with 5 or fewer patients; 29.5% maintain a social distance of 1–1.5 meters and 42.6% of respondents spend 5-10 minutes per patient. Limitations. To implement this study, the required number of respondents was calculated using the method proposed by Viechtbauer W. et al. (2015). In this case, a 95% confidence interval and an expected response rate of 0.05 were set. According to the results obtained, at least ninety two people should take part in the study, which is a sufficient reference sample. Conclusion. According to epidemiologists, the most significant factor in the spread of COVID-19 was failure to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters and the failure to use masks when working with patients sick with the new coronavirus infection. According to general practitioners, the key factors in the spread of COVID-19 were the number of contacts with patients, the number of epicenters of infection visited, the length of the doctor’s stay at the site of the disease, as well as the distance during contact with the patient.