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Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Workers in Health and Social Services in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Claudia Peters

    (Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Madeleine Dulon

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Claudia Westermann

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Agnessa Kozak

    (Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
    Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Healthcare and Welfare Services, 22089 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Health workers are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections. What follows the acute infection is rarely reported in the occupational context. This study examines the employees’ consequences of COVID-19 infection, the risk factors and the impact on quality of life over time. In this baseline survey, respondents were asked about their COVID-19 infection in 2020 and their current health situation. Out of 2053 participants, almost 73% experienced persistent symptoms for more than three months, with fatigue/exhaustion, concentration/memory problems and shortness of breath being most frequently reported. Risk factors were older age, female gender, previous illness, many and severe symptoms during the acute infection, and outpatient medical care. An impaired health-related quality of life was found in participants suffering from persistent symptoms. Overall, a high need for rehabilitation to improve health and work ability is evident. Further follow-up surveys will observe the changes and the impact of vaccination on the consequences of COVID-19 among health workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Peters & Madeleine Dulon & Claudia Westermann & Agnessa Kozak & Albert Nienhaus, 2022. "Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Workers in Health and Social Services in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:6983-:d:833345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Silvia Stringhini & María-Eugenia Zaballa & Nick Pullen & Carlos de Mestral & Javier Perez-Saez & Roxane Dumont & Attilio Picazio & Francesco Pennacchio & Yaron Dibner & Sabine Yerly & Helene Baysson , 2021. "Large variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among essential workers in Geneva, Switzerland," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Albert Nienhaus, 2021. "COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany—An Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tomoko Kobayashi & Chikara Miyaji & Hiroshi Habu & Yoshiharu Horie & Soshi Takao, 2024. "Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Health-Related Quality of Life in the Japanese Population: A Large Health-Insurance-Based Database Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Danilo Buonsenso & Maria Rosaria Gualano & Maria Francesca Rossi & Angelica Valz Gris & Leuconoe Grazia Sisti & Ivan Borrelli & Paolo Emilio Santoro & Antonio Tumminello & Carolina Gentili & Walter Ma, 2022. "Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae in a Working Population at One Year Follow-Up: A Wide Range of Impacts from an Italian Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Anja Schablon & Volker Harth & Claudia Terschüren & Olaf Kleinmüller & Claudia Wohlert & Claudia Schnabel & Thomas Theo Brehm & Julian Schulze zur Wiesch & Jan Felix Kersten & Albert Nienhaus, 2023. "Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Employees in Outpatient Care Services in Hamburg," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Moussa Antar & Hansjoerg Ullerich & Andreas Zaruchas & Torsten Meier & Ricarda Diller & Ulrich Pannewick & Sameer A. Dhayat, 2024. "Long-Term Quality of Life after COVID-19 Infection: Cross-Sectional Study of Health Care Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-17, February.
    5. Katrin Müller & Iris Poppele & Marcel Ottiger & Katharina Zwingmann & Ivo Berger & Andreas Thomas & Alois Wastlhuber & Franziska Ortwein & Anna-Lena Schultz & Anna Weghofer & Eva Wilhelm & Rainer-Chri, 2023. "Impact of Rehabilitation on Physical and Neuropsychological Health of Patients Who Acquired COVID-19 in the Workplace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Cristina Delgado-Alonso & Constanza Cuevas & Silvia Oliver-Mas & María Díez-Cirarda & Alfonso Delgado-Álvarez & María José Gil-Moreno & Jorge Matías-Guiu & Jordi A. Matias-Guiu, 2022. "Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction Are Associated with Occupational Status in Post-COVID Syndrome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-9, October.

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