Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jul 29, 2024 2:01:45 GMT
Comparison of morbidity and absenteeism due to COVID-19 and seasonal influenza in a large cohort of health care personnel in the 2022 to 2023 season - Published May 29, 2024
Highlights
•We followed 5,752 hospital-based HCP from November 14, 2022 to May 28, 2023.
•A total of 734 COVID-19 cases and 93 influenza cases were studied.
•COVID-19 cases were absent for a mean of 5.8 days compared to 3.6 days of influenza cases.
•COVID-19 accounted for 4,245 days missed compared to 333 days missed due to influenza.
•COVID-19 remains the prevalent cause of morbidity and absenteeism among HCP.
Background
To compare the morbidity and work absenteeism associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza among health care personnel (HCP) in 2022 to 2023.
Methods
We followed 5,752 hospital-based HCP in Greece from November 14, 2022 through May 28, 2023. Symptomatic HCP was tested for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or rapid antigen detection test. The association between the duration of absenteeism and the type of disease was estimated by multivariable regression models.
Results
A total of 734 COVID-19 cases and 93 influenza cases were studied. The mean duration of absence per COVID-19 case was 5.8 days compared with a mean of absence of 3.6 days per influenza case (P value <.001). Overall, COVID-19 accounted for 4,245 days missed during the study period compared with 333 days missed due to influenza. Multivariable regression estimates indicated that HCP with COVID-19 had 1.91 more days of absenteeism (95% confidence interval 1.67-2.15) compared with those with influenza, on average.
Conclusions
As SARS-CoV-2 becomes endemic, COVID-19 remains the prevalent cause of morbidity and absenteeism among HCP, accounting for considerably more workdays missed compared with influenza. HCP should be up-to-date with COVID-19 booster vaccinations and annual influenza vaccination in order to protect them as well as health care systems from HCP absenteeism.
Highlights
•We followed 5,752 hospital-based HCP from November 14, 2022 to May 28, 2023.
•A total of 734 COVID-19 cases and 93 influenza cases were studied.
•COVID-19 cases were absent for a mean of 5.8 days compared to 3.6 days of influenza cases.
•COVID-19 accounted for 4,245 days missed compared to 333 days missed due to influenza.
•COVID-19 remains the prevalent cause of morbidity and absenteeism among HCP.
Background
To compare the morbidity and work absenteeism associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza among health care personnel (HCP) in 2022 to 2023.
Methods
We followed 5,752 hospital-based HCP in Greece from November 14, 2022 through May 28, 2023. Symptomatic HCP was tested for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or rapid antigen detection test. The association between the duration of absenteeism and the type of disease was estimated by multivariable regression models.
Results
A total of 734 COVID-19 cases and 93 influenza cases were studied. The mean duration of absence per COVID-19 case was 5.8 days compared with a mean of absence of 3.6 days per influenza case (P value <.001). Overall, COVID-19 accounted for 4,245 days missed during the study period compared with 333 days missed due to influenza. Multivariable regression estimates indicated that HCP with COVID-19 had 1.91 more days of absenteeism (95% confidence interval 1.67-2.15) compared with those with influenza, on average.
Conclusions
As SARS-CoV-2 becomes endemic, COVID-19 remains the prevalent cause of morbidity and absenteeism among HCP, accounting for considerably more workdays missed compared with influenza. HCP should be up-to-date with COVID-19 booster vaccinations and annual influenza vaccination in order to protect them as well as health care systems from HCP absenteeism.