RESIDUAL SYMPTOMS AFTER SARS-COV2 INFECTION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Health-care workers are on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this occupational group, infection is of great concern due to the risk of nosocomial spread of the disease and significant reduction in the number of employees, it also endanger patient safety and compromise the capacities of healthcare workers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare workers of university hospital of Farhat Hached Sousse who were affected by COVID 19 during September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Data collection was carried out using an anonymous questionnaire about socioprofessional and medical characteristics. Severity level of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was assessed according to the criteria of the National Authority for Health Assessment and Accreditation guideline (INEAS). Of the 555 healthcare workers with COVID-19, 477 participated. The factors associated with residual symptoms of COVID- 19 were: age (p=0.002), female gender (p=0.001), marital status (p=0.015), cardiovascular (p=0.001), endocrine (p=0.002) comorbidities, obesity (p=0.004), work position (p=10-3), professional work seniority (p=0.022), duration of confinement (p=10-3) and hospitalization (p=0.037).The use of antibiotics(p=10-3), anticoagulants (p=0.010) and corticosteroids (p=0.004) were significantly associated with the persistence of symptoms. After binary logistic regression, the factors associated with persistent symptoms were female gender, para-medical category, antibiotic and corticosteroid use. Long-term follow-up of HCWs with COVID-19 is recommended to understand and treat persistent symptoms after recovery. Protective equipment should be provided as well as vaccination for prevention and management.