Occupation and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies: a systematic review

Journal article

ObjectiveTo describe and synthesise studies of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence by occupation prior to the widespread vaccine roll-out.MethodsWe identified studies of occupational seroprevalence from a living systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42020183634). Electronic databases, grey literature and news media were searched for studies published during January–December 2020. Seroprevalence estimates and a free-text description of the occupation were extracted and classified according to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 system using a machine-learning algorithm. Due to heterogeneity, results were synthesised narratively.ResultsWe identified 196 studies including 591 940 participants from 38 countries. Most studies (n=162; 83%) were conducted locally versus regionally or nationally. Sample sizes were generally small (median=220 participants per occupation) and 135 studies (69%) were at a high risk of bias. One or more estimates were available for 21/23 major SOC occupation groups, but over half of the estimates identified (n=359/600) were for healthcare-related occupations. ‘Personal Care and Service Occupations’ (median 22% (IQR 9–28%); n=14) had the highest median seroprevalence.ConclusionsMany seroprevalence studies covering a broad range of occupations were published in the first year of the pandemic. Results suggest considerable differences in seroprevalence between occupations, although few large, high-quality studies were done. Well-designed studies are required to improve our understanding of the occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 and should be considered as an element of pandemic preparedness for future respiratory pathogens.

Authors: Boucher, E; Cao, C; D’Mello, S; Duarte, N; Bennett, G

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 2
• Pages: e063771-e063771
• Publication date: 2023-02-28
• Acceptance date: 2023-02-06
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063771
• EISSN: 2044-6055
• ISSN: 2044-6055
• Language: English
• Keywords: Gerontology; Disease; Family medicine; Pandemic; Environmental health; Internal medicine; Epidemiology; Seroprevalence; Medicine; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Demography; Preparedness