Association between COVID-19 Post-infection and Work Capacity among Healthcare Workers in the National Referral...

Patients who had severe COVID-19 infection were thought to be one of the factors affecting the suitability of work capacity. Functional capacity can be measured by 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Some particular jobs have a minimum functional capacity to be met.

The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between severity of COVID-19 infection and work capacity among post-infected healthcare workers in the National Referral Hospital.

A cross-sectional study among healthcare workers who had COVID-19 infection from June to July 2021, and had undergone functional capacity examination from September to November 2021 was conducted. Data processing was carried out by collecting data from medical records of infected healthcare workers. Bivariate analysis statistic test was done to determine the association between degree of severity and work capacity. Determination of the suitability of work capacity was done by comparing the results of the functional capacity examination with the minimum estimated matabolic equivalents (METs) needs of workers.

A total of 102 employees data from ages 25 to 58 years were collected. The result showed that 81 employees had unsuitable work capacity with most of them coming from the mild infected group (83.3%).

There is no significant relationship (p>0.05) between age, gender, BMI, sequelae, comorbidities, and degree of severity of COVID-19 infection and work capacity among healthcare workers. Even though there is no signficant relationship between severity of COVID-19 and work capacity, this research shows there are more than 50% post-infected healthcare workers who have unsuitable work capacity.