Anosmia in healthcare workers affected with COVID-19: Prevalence and associated factors

Background: COVID-19 is the most important health problem in the world nowadays. Since the publication of the first cases, the symptoms have become more numerous. Anosmia has been recently recognized as a frequent and relevant symptom for the detection of COVID-19, especially in pauci-symptomatic forms. Objective(s): To determine the prevalence of anosmia in health care workers affected by SARS-COV2 and to identify its associated factors. Method(s): This is a cross-sectional analytical study, carried out over a six-month period, which included all healthcare workers of Farhat Hached Academic Hospital of Sousse, Tunisia, affected by SARS-COV2 and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction or antigen rapid test. Result(s): A total of 474 healthcare workers were enrolled with a mean age of 41.02+/-10.67 years and a sex ratio of 0.2. The gynecology department was the most represented one (13.9%). Nurses were the most affected (31.4%). Hospitalization was required for 16 patients (3.4%). The average time of work was 17.04 +/- 11.6 days. Anosmia persisted for more than 90 days in 35 patients (7.4%). After multiple binary logistic regression, anosmia was statistically associated with female gender (p = 0.001;ORIC95%:2.46 [1.4-4.2]) and blue-collar occupational category (p = 0.002;ORIC95%:3.1 [1.5-6.5]). A significant association was also noted between the presence of anosmia and professional seniority (p = 0.019;OR IC95%: 0.97 [0.95-0.99]) and the duration of work (p = 0.03;OR IC95%: 0.97 [0.95-0.99]). Conclusion(s): Although anosmia seems to be frequent in COVID-19 patients, there is still not enough evidence to affirm that it is a strong predictor of the diagnosis of COVID-19.

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.

Assessing sexual health status among Tunisian ICU healthcare providers in times of the COVID-19

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected ones well-being. ICU healthcare providers are particularly concerned by this impact which includes physical, mental and socioeconomic repercussions. Others health dimensions could be deeply affected but not well explored such as the psycho-sexual status. Objective(s): The aim of this study was to assess sexual health status among ICU healthcare providers. Method(s): This was a cross-sectional study enrolling Tunisian ICU healthcare providers and conducted between July and September 2021.Data collectionwas based on a self-administrated questionnaire. To assess sexuality, Arabic validated versions of the IIEF-15 and the FSFI was used formale and female respectively. The Fear of COVID- 19 Scale and the Rosenberg Self-esteemquestionnaire were also used. Result(s): Twenty ICU workers (13 physicians and 7 nurses) were enrolled. The mean age was 28.2 years and the sex ratio was 2.3. All participants were involved in COVID-19 crisis management and 80 % reported an increase in their workload. The mean Rosenberg scale was 27 suggesting a low self-esteem. The mean Covid19 Fear Scale was 26 +/- 2. For the IIEF-15 the mean score was 17 +/- 3 (moderate erectyl dysfunction) and the most damaged dimension was the intercourse satisfaction. For the FSFI scale, the mean was 23+/-5 witch (a low sexual dysfunction). A high sexual desire with a lack in the satisfaction dimension was reported in 90% of cases. Only 4 participants have consulted a sexologist. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 has a serious sexual impact in ICU healthcare providers justifying urgent psychological interventions.

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.

Psychological impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the operating room paramedical staff

Introduction: the recent covid19 pandemic is not devoid of psychological risks on paramedical staff. Among them, those who work in the operating theaters are exposed to such risks. Objective(s): to determine the perceived stress level and the psychological impact of COVID-19 on paramedics in the operating room. Method(s): This is an observational, descriptive and analytical study carried out in the operating rooms of Sahloul University Hospital during a 3 month period. The data collection tool was a selfadministered questionnaire composed of 5 main parts (sociodemographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, exposure to COVID-19, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Hospital Anxiety and depression scale (HADS)). Result(s): 96 paramedical staff participated in our study. The average perceived stress score was significantly higher among anesthetists. 48% of participants had anxiety. Anesthetists had significantly higher anxiety scores (p = 0.001). 26.1% of participants had definite depression. Of those with definite depression, 35.3% were anesthetists (p = 0.028). Factors significantly associated with the occurrence of anxiety were: psychiatric history, increased workload, contact with a positive coronavirus patient in the operating room, and severe perceived stress. However, the factors significantly associated with the occurrence of depression were: initial training in the management of covid-19 patients, personal infection with SARS-COV2 and severe perceived stress. Conclusion(s): Covid-19 pandemic is causing significant symptoms of anxiety and depression among operation room staff. Primary and secondary prevention strategies must then be undertaken.

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.