Abstract
Objective
The aim of the study is to identify modifiable factors associated with sickness absence duration after a COVID-19 infection.
Methods
Participants in a prospective cohort of 4964 Canadian healthcare workers were asked how many working days they had missed after a positive COVID-19 test. Only completed episodes with absence ≤31 working day and no hospital admission were included. Cox regression estimated the contribution of administrative guidelines, vaccinations, work factors, personal characteristics, and symptom severity.
Results
A total of 1520 episodes of COVID-19 were reported by 1454 participants. Days off work reduced as the pandemic progressed and were fewer with increasing numbers of vaccines received. Time-off was longer with greater symptom severity and shorter where there was a provision for callback with clinical necessity.
Conclusions
Vaccination, an important modifiable factor, related to shorter sickness absence. Provision to recall workers at time of clinical need reduced absence duration.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health