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Return to Work of Healthcare Workers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Determinants of Physical and Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Maddalena Grazzini

    (Health Direction, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
    Occupational Medicine School, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Nicola Mucci

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Diana Paolini

    (Health Direction, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Antonio Baldassarre

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Veronica Gallinoro

    (Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Annarita Chiarelli

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Niccolini

    (Health Direction, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Giulio Arcangeli

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Introduction. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has involved healthcare workers (HCWs) both as caregivers and as patients. This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the HCWs working in a third-level hospital in Central Italy who were infected with COVID-19 from March 2020 to April 2021. This research aims at identifying the physical and mental health outcomes of HCWs infected with COVID-19 who returned to work after the infection, the determinants of those outcomes, such as age and sex, and the identification of possible vulnerable professional groups. Methods. A questionnaire about the acute illness, the experience of returning to work, and health perceptions after the disease was administered to 427 healthcare workers 3 months after recovering from the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results. The majority interviewed (84.5%) reported symptoms at the time of the positive test, with no significant differences regarding age or sex, while a significant difference in the mean age was found regarding hospitalization ( p < 0.001). At 3 months after the infection, females ( p = 0.001), older workers ( p < 0.001), and healthcare assistants ( p < 0.001) were more likely to report persistent symptoms. Sex ( p = 0.02) and age ( p = 0.006) influenced the quality of sleep after the infection. At work, the nurses group reported increase in workload ( p = 0.03) and worse relationships ( p = 0.028). At 3 months after the infection, female workers perceived worse physical ( p = 0.002) and mental ( p < 0.001) health status according to the SF-12. A negative correlation was found between age and PCS score ( p < 0.001) but not MCS score ( p = 0.86). A significant difference in PCS score was found between nurses and physicians ( p = 0.04) and between residents and all other groups ( p < 0.001). Finally, the group of workers reporting sleep alterations showed lower PCS and MCS scores ( p < 0.001) and working relationships had an impact on MCS scores ( p < 0.001). Conclusions. Age, sex, and type of job had an impact on physical and mental outcomes. Organizing specific interventions, also tailored to professional sub-groups, should be a target for healthcare systems to protect and boost the physical and mental health of their workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Maddalena Grazzini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Nicola Mucci & Diana Paolini & Antonio Baldassarre & Veronica Gallinoro & Annarita Chiarelli & Fabrizio Niccolini & Giulio Arcangeli, 2022. "Return to Work of Healthcare Workers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Determinants of Physical and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6811-:d:830477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Gabriele Giorgi & Caterina Pandolfi & Giulia Foti & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2021. "Identifying Psychosocial Risks and Protective Measures for Workers’ Mental Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19: A Narrative Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Patricia Gray & Sipho Senabe & Nisha Naicker & Spo Kgalamono & Annalee Yassi & Jerry M. Spiegel, 2019. "Workplace-Based Organizational Interventions Promoting Mental Health and Happiness among Healthcare Workers: A Realist Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Georgia Libera Finstad & Gabriele Giorgi & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Caterina Pandolfi & Giulia Foti & José M. León-Perez & Francisco J. Cantero-Sánchez & Nicola Mucci, 2021. "Resilience, Coping Strategies and Posttraumatic Growth in the Workplace Following COVID-19: A Narrative Review on the Positive Aspects of Trauma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Pavani Rangachari & Jacquelynn L. Woods, 2020. "Preserving Organizational Resilience, Patient Safety, and Staff Retention during COVID-19 Requires a Holistic Consideration of the Psychological Safety of Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Antonio Baldassarre & Gabriele Giorgi & Federico Alessio & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "Stigma and Discrimination (SAD) at the Time of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-29, August.
    6. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
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    2. David Monier & Paul Bonjean & Pierre Carcasset & Martine Moulin & Bruno Pozzetto & Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers & Luc Fontana & Carole Pelissier, 2023. "Factors Contributing to Delayed Return to Work among French Healthcare Professionals Afflicted by COVID-19 at a Hospital in the Rhône-Alpes Region, 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-8, October.
    3. Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Antonio Baldassarre & Annarita Chiarelli & Antonella Mariniello & Diana Paolini & Maddalena Grazzini & Nicola Mucci & Giulio Arcangeli, 2023. "Physical Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Population of Italian Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Nicola Magnavita & Gabriele Arnesano & Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio & Martina Gasbarri & Igor Meraglia & Marco Merella & Maria Eugenia Vacca, 2023. "Post-COVID Symptoms in Occupational Cohorts: Effects on Health and Work Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-13, April.

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