IMPACT OF COVID -19 ON THE HEALTH AND WORK OUTPUT OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS WITHIN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic put a lot of pressure on the health system which was not prepared enough to handle it. Many Healthcare workers (HCWs) got infected, with some developing health complications after recovery. This study assessed the risk factors of post-COVID-19 complications among HCWs. A follow-up study using census was used to recruit 756 HCWs of which 252 (Exposed group) were infected with COVID-19 and 504 (unexposed group) were not. Stata LP Version 15 was used for the analysis. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the association between health outcomes and the exposure status at baseline, month 3, and month 6. The interaction between COVID-19 exposure status during these months that showed significant association with the health outcomes (psychological health, blood pressure, lung function and presenteeism) were included in the multilevel generalized ordered logistic regression model, estimating the adjusted proportional odds ratios (APOR) and the corresponding confidence interval and p-values. All analyses were considered statistically significant at an alpha level of 0.05. The majority of the HCWs reported having a history of comorbidity with the commonest being hypertension. These reports were significantly higher among HCWs in the exposed group. The multilevel analysis demonstrated a significant association between depression, anxiety and stress and sociodemographic factors, history of comorbidities, lifestyle choices, family and workplace support (p<0.001). There was a significant association between health outcomes (reduced normal, blood lung function) and sociodemographic factors, family and personal history of comorbidity, lifestyle choices, family and workplace support (p<0.001). Furthermore, increased odds of experiencing low levels of presenteeism were reported among HCWs with severe levels of anxiety, whiles reduced lung function and psychological health problems were reported among the exposed group. This proves the significance of stakeholders to prioritize the health and safety of HCWs in the face of disease outbreaks, since it can affect the quality of work.