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Persistent Symptoms among Frontline Health Workers Post-Acute COVID-19 Infection

Author

Listed:
  • Constance Wose Kinge

    (Implementation Science Unit, Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
    Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Susan Hanekom

    (Physiotherapy Division, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Fancie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

  • Alison Lupton-Smith

    (Physiotherapy Division, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Fancie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

  • Francis Akpan

    (Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa)

  • Eula Mothibi

    (Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa)

  • Thapelo Maotoe

    (Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa)

  • Floyd Lebatie

    (Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa)

  • Pappie Majuba

    (Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa)

  • Ian Sanne

    (Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
    Clinical HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Charles Chasela

    (Implementation Science Unit, Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
    Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

Abstract

Growing evidence shows that a significant number of patients with COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms, also known as long COVID-19. We sought to identify persistent symptoms of COVID-19 in frontline workers at Right to Care South Africa, who are past the acute phase of illness, using a cross-sectional survey. We analysed data from 207 eligible COVID-19 positive frontline workers who participated in a two-month post-COVID-19 online self-administered survey. The survey response rate was 30%; of the 62 respondents with a median age of 33.5 years (IQR= 30–44 years), 47 (76%) were females. The majority ( n = 55; 88.7%) self-isolated and 7 (11.3%) were admitted to hospital at the time of diagnosis. The most common comorbid condition reported was hypertension, particularly among workers aged 45–55 years. The most reported persistent symptoms were characterised by fatigue, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, chest pain, muscle pain, and brain fog. Long COVID-19 is a serious phenomenon, of which much is still unknown, including its causes, how common it is especially in non-hospitalised healthcare workers, and how to treat it. Given the rise in COVID-19 cases, the prevalence of long COVID-19 is likely to be substantial; thus, the need for rehabilitation programs targeted at each persistent COVID-19 symptom is critical.

Suggested Citation

  • Constance Wose Kinge & Susan Hanekom & Alison Lupton-Smith & Francis Akpan & Eula Mothibi & Thapelo Maotoe & Floyd Lebatie & Pappie Majuba & Ian Sanne & Charles Chasela, 2022. "Persistent Symptoms among Frontline Health Workers Post-Acute COVID-19 Infection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:5933-:d:814930
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    Cited by:

    1. Zaneta Chatys-Bogacka & Iwona Mazurkiewicz & Joanna Slowik & Monika Bociaga-Jasik & Anna Dzieza-Grudnik & Agnieszka Slowik & Marcin Wnuk & Leszek Drabik, 2022. "Brain Fog and Quality of Life at Work in Non-Hospitalized Patients after COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.

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