cohort·epidemiology, infectious disease, public health·PMC10022315
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and risk factors among meat packing, produce processing, and farm workers
PLOS Global Public Health · 21 authors, 7 centres
AI SUMMARY
FIDELITY 100%
This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.
This observational cohort study measured SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in 118 food processing and farm workers in North Carolina during fall 2020. The study found a high overall seroprevalence of 50.0%, with meat packing workers showing the highest rate (64.6%), and identified work in loud environments as a significant risk factor for past infection.
Full summary
894 CHARS
The study was an observational cohort of 118 meat packing, produce processing, and farm workers in North Carolina enrolled from September to December 2020. Blood samples were collected to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. The overall seroprevalence was 50.0%, with rates of 64.6% in meat packing workers, 45.0% in farm workers, and 10.0% in produce processing workers. Unadjusted risk factor analysis showed that seropositive workers were more likely to work in loud environments (RR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.25–2.69), cold environments (RR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.12–2.24), or continue working despite symptoms (RR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.14–2.32). After adjustment, high occupational noise remained associated with a 1.72 times higher risk (95% CI: 1.16–2.55). The findings suggest occupational factors like high noise may increase transmission risk and highlight the disproportionate burden in Latinx communities.
