Presenteeism and physio-psychological disorders among frontline nurses fighting COVID-19

Presenteeism, defined as workers continuing to work despite being sick, was associated with poor health outcomes amongst frontline nurses, particularly those assisting other cities during the pandemic. The mechanisms behind this association remain unclear.

To investigate the presenteeism rate of frontline nurses and explore the effect of presenteeism on their physio-psychological disorders with personal health prevention and control strategies as the mediator.

The cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2022 among Chinese frontline nurses working in isolation wards and assisting Shanghai in combating the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 350 participants from one hospital were invited to complete a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modelling examined the relationships among presenteeism, personal health prevention and control strategies, and physio-psychological disorders.

A total of 300 frontline nurses participated. Participants reported a presenteeism rate of 66%. Presenteeism had a direct influence on mental disorders (β = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12, 0.47) and physical disorders (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.54). Personal health prevention and control strategies mediated the relationship between presenteeism and mental disorders (β = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.20) or physical disorders (β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.33).

Presenteeism remained high among Chinese frontline nurses. Personal health prevention and control strategies partly mediated the negative effect of presenteeism on health. Thus, reducing presenteeism and enhancing protection and control strategies may be important measures to promote the health of these nurses.