Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract Objectives To explore the patterns, trends, nature, and extent of changes in sickness absence among health care workers (HCWs) at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar-during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years and uncover the main associated factors. Methods We c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-023-00369-3 |
| _version_ | 1827982308839260160 |
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| author | Asma Ali Al-Nuaimi Sami Abdeen Muna Abed Alah Sameera AlHajri Sandy Semaan Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari |
| author_facet | Asma Ali Al-Nuaimi Sami Abdeen Muna Abed Alah Sameera AlHajri Sandy Semaan Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari |
| author_sort | Asma Ali Al-Nuaimi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives To explore the patterns, trends, nature, and extent of changes in sickness absence among health care workers (HCWs) at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar-during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years and uncover the main associated factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all sick leaves’ records of PHCC HCWs regardless of their profession from January 2019 till August 2021. Results A total of 41,132 sick leaves were taken during the studied period. The majority of HCWs who availed sick leaves were between 30–39 years (45.9%), females (65.1%), and expatriates (65.1%). Compared with pre-COVID-19 (Jan 2019-Feb 2020), Wave 1 of COVID-19 had significantly less incidence of sick leaves per day per 1000 HCWs. While wave 2 had significantly higher incidence of sick leaves compared to both pre-COVID-19 and wave 1. The number of sick leaves per person among female HCWs was significantly higher than that of male HCWs. Moreover, the number of sick leaves per person among locals were about two times the number among expatriate HCWs. Physicians and nurses had significantly lower number of sick leave per person compared to other professions. The rates of sick leaves due to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, back/neck pain and gastroenteritis were significantly higher in the second wave compared to the first wave of COVID-19. Conclusion Overall and cause specific sick leave rates among HCWs varied significantly across different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 related sick leave rate was higher during the second wave compared to first one. By addressing the root causes of sick leaves, it is possible to reduce the burden on HCWs and ensure their continued ability to provide essential care to those in need. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:31:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11618f252af5492d86580e4cbe5ab2f2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-6673 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:31:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology |
| spelling | doaj.art-11618f252af5492d86580e4cbe5ab2f22023-03-22T12:42:51ZengBMCJournal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology1745-66732023-03-0118111010.1186/s12995-023-00369-3Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemicAsma Ali Al-Nuaimi0Sami Abdeen1Muna Abed Alah2Sameera AlHajri3Sandy Semaan4Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari5Strategy and Health Intelligence Department, Primary Health Care CorporationCommunity Medicine Department, Hamad Medical CorporationCommunity Medicine Department, Hamad Medical CorporationOccupational Health and Safety Department, Primary Health Care CorporationStrategy and Health Intelligence Department, Primary Health Care CorporationStrategy and Health Intelligence Department, Primary Health Care CorporationAbstract Objectives To explore the patterns, trends, nature, and extent of changes in sickness absence among health care workers (HCWs) at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar-during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years and uncover the main associated factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all sick leaves’ records of PHCC HCWs regardless of their profession from January 2019 till August 2021. Results A total of 41,132 sick leaves were taken during the studied period. The majority of HCWs who availed sick leaves were between 30–39 years (45.9%), females (65.1%), and expatriates (65.1%). Compared with pre-COVID-19 (Jan 2019-Feb 2020), Wave 1 of COVID-19 had significantly less incidence of sick leaves per day per 1000 HCWs. While wave 2 had significantly higher incidence of sick leaves compared to both pre-COVID-19 and wave 1. The number of sick leaves per person among female HCWs was significantly higher than that of male HCWs. Moreover, the number of sick leaves per person among locals were about two times the number among expatriate HCWs. Physicians and nurses had significantly lower number of sick leave per person compared to other professions. The rates of sick leaves due to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, back/neck pain and gastroenteritis were significantly higher in the second wave compared to the first wave of COVID-19. Conclusion Overall and cause specific sick leave rates among HCWs varied significantly across different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 related sick leave rate was higher during the second wave compared to first one. By addressing the root causes of sick leaves, it is possible to reduce the burden on HCWs and ensure their continued ability to provide essential care to those in need.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-023-00369-3COVID-19Sick leaveHealth care workerPrimary healthcare |
| spellingShingle | Asma Ali Al-Nuaimi Sami Abdeen Muna Abed Alah Sameera AlHajri Sandy Semaan Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology COVID-19 Sick leave Health care worker Primary healthcare |
| title | Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in Qatar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | sickness absenteeism among primary health care workers in qatar before and during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | COVID-19 Sick leave Health care worker Primary healthcare |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-023-00369-3 |
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