P-274 the Cost of Absenteeism Due to Covid-19 in Healthcare Workers in a Public Hospital in Central Tunisia

Abstract Introduction and Objective To estimate the cost of absenteeism due to COVID-19 among Tahar Sfar University Hospital Health care workers (HCWs) in Mahdia, Tunisia. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on HCWs, since the beginning of the first coronavirus wave. To acheive this study, we used a numeric database of HCWs diagnosed with COVID-19 from September to July 2022 collected by the Occupational Medicine Department with the assistance of Humain Ressource Department. This database included the sociodemographic and professional characteristics as well as and all COVID-19 sick leave durations of HCWs with COVID-19 confirmed by a positive Rt-PCR or antigen rapid testing. Results Since the beginning of the pandemic, 1233 cases of infection and reinfection by the COVID-19 among HCWs, have been detected and reported as occupational diseases. The average age was 37.82±9.9 years 23-65 years. The rate of infections entitling a sick leave was the highest (31.3%) among doctors, followed by nurses, (30.8%) working in COVID-19 department in 40.6%. Incidences of occupational COVID-19 infections resulted in a loss of 10 278 working days, with an average duration of 8.34±4.68 days 5-50 days. The multivariate analysis revealed that the age and function impact absenteeism (OR=198.73 and -71.35 respectively). The estimated cost of absenteeism was 156,000 euros. Discussions and Conclusions HCWs were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Absenteeism in healthcare is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive approach. HCWs need to work with employees to understand the factors that contribute to absenteeism and take effective measures to cope with this issue.