The support of healthcare workers suffering from COVID 19

ABSTRACT

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.