Work productivity among healthcare workers with post COVID-19 syndrome

IntroductionOver time, the phenomenon of persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection has evolved from non-specific symptoms to a clinical entity known as post-covid-19 syndrome, which can lead to disabilities. The aim of this study is assess the impact of post-Covid-19 syndrome on health professionals and its implications on professional activity.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, analytical study conducted over a two-month period and including all health care staff at the Nabeul University Hospital. The evaluation of work productivity was carried out by the questionnaire‘Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire'.ResultsOur study involved 89 health workers. The average age of the population was 41.2±10.6 years with a sex ratio of 0.63. Nurses were the most represented occupational group (59.6%). The majority of participants were infected once and in February 2021 (55.1% of cases). General signs were the most reported and were dominated by fever (51.6%). Post-covid-19 syndrome was reported in 44 patients (49.4% of cases). The main persistent symptoms were headache (61.3%), asthenia (59%), and dyspnea (31.8%).The drop in productivity and daily activities were significantly higher in patients who developed post-covid-19 syndrome;p=0,015 and p=0,002 respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of absenteeism and presenteeism (p=0.42 and p=0.2 respectively).ConclusionGuidelines for the management of post-COVID syndrome based on established criteria are needed to enhance its outcome.

Psychosocial skills of ICU healthcare staff providing care to patients with COVID-19

Introduction: The COVID-19 crisis has imposed deep improvements in ICU responsiveness face to unprecedented and uncertain situations. In addition to strengthening logistics resources, this responsiveness required the development of psychosocial skills of healthcare providers, especially in ICU. Objective(s): To assess extrinsic factors interfering with psychosocial skills of the staff working in COVID-19 ICU and to analyze the different dimensions of these skills. Method(s): This is an observational descriptive study conducted at the COVID-19 ICU of an Academic Hospital, during a one-month period. All healthcare providers were enrolled. Data collection was based on a self-administered questionnaire including: sociodemographic factors;the general perception of work in covid-19 ICU and psychosocial skills. Six dimensions were explored separately, then by a standardized scale ranging from 0 to 100.Three levels of satisfaction were considered. Result(s): Fifty-five healthcare providers were enrolled. The average age was 32 years. The sex ratio was 0.25. Mean scales of satisfaction were 53.6 for professional status and occupational security;62.4 for working conditions and 69.8 for relational aspects. The most altered extrinsic factors were satisfaction regarding the salary and satisfaction regarding the administration policy with mean scores of 15 and 10 respectively. Satisfying psychosocial skills were creative and critical thoughts, self-awareness and empathy for others, communication and interpersonal relationships. Whereas the most impaired skills were stress management and problems solving, with mean scales of 49.6 and 68.3 respectively. Conclusion(s): Psychosocial skills were generally acceptable. However, they could be improved by specific actions targeting extrinsic factors.

The support of healthcare workers suffering from COVID 19

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the challenges and risks faced by frontline healthcare workers (HCW). Objective(s): To describe the quality of management of HCW affected by the COVID-19. Method(s): This is a cross-sectional study enrolling all HCW of Farhat Hached Academic hospital who had been affected by COVID-19 during the period from september to December 2020. Result(s): During the study period, 267 HCW were affected with a mean age of 42.3 +/-10 years and a ratio-sex of 0.25. The most represented category was nurses (33.3%) followed by technicians (26.1%). Gynecology department had the highest number of affected HCW (14.4%).The majority of participants (97.4%) reported a medical care. Twelve HCW (4.5%) were hospitalized with an average length of hospital stay of 7.55 +/- 6.12 days. The average length of sick leave was 18.68 +/- 10.99 days. During the lockdown, 38.6% of HCW took care of their children without any external help. All of the HCW were supported by phone calls from colleagues in 88.4% of cases, the hierarchy in 67.4% of cases, occupational medicine in 60.3% of cases. Conclusion(s): The impact of COVID 19 is greater in HCW than in the general population. The affected staff should have a multidimensional management to avoid post covid sequelae in both physical and mental levels.

Resilience And Coping: The Chicken and The Egg Paradox

Introduction: Since the outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus, healthcare workers found themselves on the front lines of an unprecedented battle. Being characterized by adversity, this experience represents a fertile ground for the study of resilience. Objective(s): Our study aims to clarify the phenomenon of resilience through its influence on perceived stress level and its connection with coping strategies. Method(s): A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 254 healthcare professionals in the region of Sousse during the pandemic. In addition to socio-demographic and professional characteristics, Resilience, perceived stress, and coping strategies were assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the PSS10 scale, and the Brief Cope questionnaire, respectively. Result(s): The overall mean [+/-standard deviation (SD)] age of the participants was 32.9 +/- 8.76 years with a sex ratio (M / F) of 0.51. The assessment of resilience among participants revealed a mean score of 64.99 +/- 14.72. The majority of participants evinced a score> 50 (82.68%) and 39.76% had a score >70. Our results revealed that, on the one hand, problem-focused coping strategies were positive predictors of resilience (p<10-3), accounting for 3.6% of its variance. On the other hand, coping strategies (problemfocused strategies and avoidance strategies) are also an integral part of the process by which resilience significantly influences the level of perceived stress (mediating factor). Conclusion(s): Despite its complexity, the relationship between resilience and coping strategies is undeniable and it is a part of an important line of intervention opening the way to better identifications and care.

The support of healthcare workers suffering from COVID 19

Introduction : The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the challenges and risks faced by frontline healthcare workers (HCW). This study aimed to describe the quality of management of HCW affected by the COVID-19. Methods : This is a cross-sectional study enrolling all HCW of Farhat Hached Academic hospital who had been affected by COVID-19 during the period from september to December 2020. Results : During the study period, 27 HCW were affected with a mean age of 42.3 ±10 years and a ratio-sex of 0.25. The most represented category was nurses (33.3%) followed by technicians (26.1%). Gynecology department had the highest number of affected HCW (14.4%) followed by pediatric department and administration in 7.2% and 5.7% respectively. The mean of seniority was 14.5± 11 years. The majority of participants (97.4%) reported a medical care. Twelve HCW (4.5%) were hospitalized with an average length of hospital stay of 7.55 ± 6.12 days. The average length of sick leave was 18.68 ± 10.99 days. During the lockdown, 38.6% of HCW took care of their children without any external help. All of the HCW were supported by phone calls from colleagues in 88.4% of cases, the hierarchy in 67.4% of cases, occupational medicine in 60.3% of cases. Conclusion : The impact of COVID 19 is greater in HCW than in the general population. The affected staff should have a multidimensional management to avoid post covid sequelae in both physical and mental levels.

Acceptance of influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic among the Tunisian healthcare workers

Introduction: Seasonal influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended in order to protect themselves and patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies highlighted the benefit of Influenza vaccination in reducing COVID-19 burden especially in developing countries. However, Influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs is unknown in the majority of these countries. Objectives: To investigate the acceptance of Influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic among Tunisian HCWs. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was led between the 7th and the 21th of January 2021 among 493 Tunisian health professionals. A pre-established and pre-tested questionnaire recorded in a free Google form was self-administrated to participants anonymously. The generated online Google Sheet was uploaded and exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 10.0 software for analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.4 (± 9.5) years. The males/females ratio was 0.38.The rates of influenza vaccine acceptance were: 68% among medical doctors, 65.7% among pharmacists, 55.8% among paramedical professionals and 50% among dental surgeons. Working in the public sector and having a chronic condition predicted more acceptance of influenza vaccine with adjusted odds ratio of 1.9 (95% CI: 1.3-3.9) and 2.1 (95% CI: 1.3-3.5) respectively. Having been infected by the SARS-COV2 predicted fewer acceptances with and adjusted odds ratio of 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1-0.7). Conclusion: More attention should be paid to Tunisian paramedical professionals and dental surgeons in order to increase influenza vaccine uptake among them. Involving HCWs in the national information campaign about COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination would ensure more vaccines acceptance among them.

Social media and hesitancy towards SARS-COV2 vaccination among the Tunisian health professionals

Introduction: Health professionals are the leaders of the war against the SARS-COV2 pandemic. Their adherence to the vaccination against this new virus is crucial to ensure a sufficient coverage in the community. Objectives: To evaluate hesitancy towards SARS-COV2 vaccines among the Tunisian health professionals and their use of information sources about these vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was led online between the 7th and the 21th of January 2021 among Tunisian health professionals. A number of at least 460 participants were required. Data were collected anonymously using a pre-established and pre-tested questionnaire recorded in a free Google form. Results: A total of 493 responses were obtained. The mean age of participants was 37.4 (± 9.5) years. Females represented 70.2% of participants. The rate of hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines was 51.9%. Lack of information about the COVID19 vaccines was reported by 81.7% of participants. Social media were the most used source of information by them (66.9%) while 7.9% of them used the national information site for health professionals. Use of social media more than two hours per day was positively associated with hesitancy towards vaccination against SARS-COV2 with an OR of 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5-4.2) contrary to the use of the national website for information for health professionals which was negatively associated with hesitancy with an OR of 0.5 (95% CI:0.2-0.9). Conclusion: The current information strategy should be reinforced in Tunisia. Social media may represent a good channel for disseminating valid messages and tackling misinformation. Engaging health care professionals in social media to counter the vaccine related misinformation would boost the national information strategy.

Predictors of COVID-19 vaccination refusal among Tunisian healthcare personnel

Introduction: Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and are recognized as a priority target group for COVID-19 vaccines. However, the acceptance or refusal of vaccination among HCP is debated. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and the predictors of COVID-19 vaccination refusal among Tunisian HCP. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online survey among Tunisian HCP from 7 to 21th of January 2021. Primary endpoints were the intention to decline vaccination against COVID-19 if a vaccine was available. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors associated with the intention to decline the COVID-19 vaccination. Results: Of the 546 responses, 493 were retrieved. Among included HCP, 292 (59.2%) were physicians, 53 (10.8%) were paramedical personnel, 70 (14.2%) were pharmacists and 78 (15.8%) were dentists. Overall, 62 of 493 HCP (12.6%) stated their intention to refuse vaccination. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being aged more than 40 years-old was a predictor of COVID-19 vaccination refusal among HCP with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 2 (95%CI: 1.2-3.6). A history of vaccination against influenza during the current season and the use of television as a source of information about COVID-19 vaccination predicted a lower risk of refusing COVID-19 vaccination with AORs of 0.2(95%CI: 0.1-0.4) and 0.5 (95%CI: 0.3-0.8) respectively. Conclusion: The current information campaign about COVID-19 vaccination should be reinforced among Tunisian HCP. Older ones may be involved in this campaign as leaders. The use of the official media seems to be a good communication channel for this campaign.