Occupational diseases of healthcare workers in the Russian Arctic (2007-2020)

Introduction. Health care workers are exposed to a complex of harmful production factors that pose an increased risk of developing occupational diseases. The aim of the study was to assess changes in risks, structure and prevalence of occupational pathology in the healthcare workers in the Russian Arctic. Materials and methods. We analyzed the results of social and hygienic monitoring "Working conditions and occupational morbidity of the population" in the Russian Arctic in 2007-2021. Results. In 2007-2021 healthcare workers were first diagnosed with 96 occupational diseases, which corresponded to 0.93% of their total number in the Russian Arctic. Biological (infectious) factors prevailed among harmful production factors that caused occupational diseases: 66 (68.8%) cases. Harmful chemicals (allergenic and toxic) were of lesser etiological significance (16.7%). Infectious diseases dominated in the structure of occupational pathology: tuberculosis (n = 31), COVID-19 (n = 31), chronic viral hepatitis (n = 4). The annual number of diseases ranged from 0 to 21 cases and the incidence ranged from 0 to 5.50 cases/10,000 workers. In the last 2 years, its level has increased due to a new coronavirus infection. At the same time, the risk of tuberculosis at the beginning (2007-2011) of the study period was higher than at its end (2017-2021): relative risk 3.00; confidence interval 1.28-7.05; p=0.008. An increased risk of developing respiratory tuberculosis for 15 years remains in junior medical workers with low work experience, and diseases caused by harmful chemicals were most prevalent in nurses. Conclusion. Despite the emergency situation with a new coronavirus infection, it is necessary to continue improving the methods of preventing the “old” occupational pathology, primarily tuberculosis in junior medical workers and allergic diseases in nursing staff.