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29-01-2025 | COVID-19

Post COVID-19 infection and quality of life of healthcare workers at Sahloul University Hospital of Sousse in Tunisia

Authors: Amene Fki, Imène Kacem, Chaima Sridi, Farah Chelly, Rania Bouchech, Nabil Ben Gadha, Mohamed Kahloul, Sonia Ksibi

Published in: Quality of Life Research

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Abstract

Background

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) faced an enormous physical and mental burden, sometimes altering their quality of life due mainly to persistent challenges stemming from their frontline position.

Aims

Todetermine the prevalence of post–COVID-19 syndrome, and its impact on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among HCWs.

Methods

This is an exhaustive cross-sectional study with analytical scope, conducted among all HCWs of the University Hospital Sahloul of Sousse, Tunisia, who have contracted COVID-19 between September 2020 and 30 March 2021 (N=529 cases).The post-covid medical check-up was carried out three months after the acute phase of the COVID-19 infection (December 2020 to June 2021). HRQoL was assessed using the SF-12 (12-item Short Form Health Survey) questionnaire. Bivariate study and multiple linear regressions were performed to identify the different factors influencing the quality of life of HCWs.

Results

During the study period, 529 HCWs were diagnosed with SARS CoV-2 infection, out of them 249 participants were included (47% participation rate). Post covid-19 syndrome was reported in 65% of cases. A low overall quality of life (QoL) score was reported in 28.6% of cases. Low physical and mental composite scores were reported in 34.3% and 29.4% of cases respectively. In the multiple linear regression analysis, gender, post COVID-19 syndrome and time off work were significantly associated with SF12 scores.

Conclusion

In our study, HCWs experienced a significant deterioration in HRQoL after COVID-19 with a high incidence of post-COVID-19 syndrome. The need of long-term follow-up after SARS-CoV-2 infection remains essential to support HCWs and mitigate long-term impacts.
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Metadata
Title
Post COVID-19 infection and quality of life of healthcare workers at Sahloul University Hospital of Sousse in Tunisia
Authors
Amene Fki
Imène Kacem
Chaima Sridi
Farah Chelly
Rania Bouchech
Nabil Ben Gadha
Mohamed Kahloul
Sonia Ksibi
Publication date
29-01-2025
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Quality of Life Research
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-024-03878-8