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Abstract Introduction and Objective To assess the long-term consequences of covid-19 infection on the work productivity of health care workers (HCWs) at Tahar Sfar University Hospital during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods This is an exhaustive cross-sectional study. It was performed among hospital staff with confirmed COVID-19 infection at Tahar Sfar University Hospital during the first wave of COVID-19. A well-designed questionnaire was widely distributed among infected health professionals. The questionnaire identified the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, acute COVID-19 symptoms, comorbidities (diabetes), risk factors, and associated conditions. For post-acute COVID-19 conditions, the validated The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-General Health (WPAI-GH) scale was used: Results The total number of completed and returned questionnaires was 109 (15.13%). The WPAI scale showed high rates of presenteeism and lost productivity in the workplace, in addition to a significant percentage of absenteeism. Among the symptoms of acute COVID-19 illness, three, in particular, increased the risk of worsening work performance: shortness of breath, cough, and itching. The multivariate analysis revealed significant correlations between post-acute COVID-19 symptoms and acute COVID-19 symptoms, comparing these results with the literature, it was legitimate to deduce that the initial clinical manifestations of the infection conditioned the appearance of the post-COVID-19 state and the installation of some post-COVID-19 symptoms rather than others. Discussion and Conclusion COVID-19 infection has become the disease of the century. Our state should establish a well-founded national program against natural disasters and incorporate appropriate rehabilitation programs in the follow-up of survivors, especially HCWs.
Omrane et al. (Mon,) studied this question.