Persistent Symptoms among Frontline Health Workers Post-Acute COVID-19 Infection

Constance Wose Kinge, Susan Hanekom, Alison Lupton-Smith, Francis Akpan, Eula Mothibi, Thapelo Maotoe, Floyd Lebatie, Pappie Majuba, Ian Sanne and Charles Chasela
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Constance Wose Kinge: Implementation Science Unit, Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Susan Hanekom: Physiotherapy Division, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Fancie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Alison Lupton-Smith: Physiotherapy Division, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Fancie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Francis Akpan: Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Eula Mothibi: Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Thapelo Maotoe: Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Floyd Lebatie: Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Pappie Majuba: Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Ian Sanne: Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa
Charles Chasela: Implementation Science Unit, Right to Care, On the Lake, 1006 Lenchen North Avenue, Centurion 0046, South Africa

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: Growing evidence shows that a significant number of patients with COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms, also known as long COVID-19. We sought to identify persistent symptoms of COVID-19 in frontline workers at Right to Care South Africa, who are past the acute phase of illness, using a cross-sectional survey. We analysed data from 207 eligible COVID-19 positive frontline workers who participated in a two-month post-COVID-19 online self-administered survey. The survey response rate was 30%; of the 62 respondents with a median age of 33.5 years (IQR= 30–44 years), 47 (76%) were females. The majority ( n = 55; 88.7%) self-isolated and 7 (11.3%) were admitted to hospital at the time of diagnosis. The most common comorbid condition reported was hypertension, particularly among workers aged 45–55 years. The most reported persistent symptoms were characterised by fatigue, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, chest pain, muscle pain, and brain fog. Long COVID-19 is a serious phenomenon, of which much is still unknown, including its causes, how common it is especially in non-hospitalised healthcare workers, and how to treat it. Given the rise in COVID-19 cases, the prevalence of long COVID-19 is likely to be substantial; thus, the need for rehabilitation programs targeted at each persistent COVID-19 symptom is critical.

Keywords: COVID-19 virus infection; post-acute COVID-19 syndrome; persistent COVID-19 symptoms; healthcare workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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