Title : Prevalence of physical and/or mental health symptoms for four weeks or more due to covid-19 among Brazilian nurses
Abstract:
Introduction: Long COVID comprises a complex, multidimensional, progressive and impactful syndrome characterized by the persistence of residual symptoms after the initial COVID-19 infection, without an alternative diagnosis or associated condition.
Objective: To identify the prevalence of physical and/or mental health symptoms for four weeks or more due to COVID-19 and associated variables among Brazilian nurses.
Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online survey with 3,697 nurses from all regions of Brazil, which included capitals and the interior of the country. Data were collected through an adaptation of the respondent-driven sampling method to the virtual environment. The prevalence of physical and/or mental health symptoms for four weeks or more due to COVID-19 among Brazilian nurses was identified through the variable: “Have you had any physical and/or mental health symptoms persist for 4 weeks or more due to COVID-19?” (YES NO)". The statistical association was verified using Pearson Chi-Square.
Results: 3,697 nurses participated in the study, 3,081 (83.3%) female, 1,791 (48.4%) white, 1,946 (52.6%) had been diagnosed with COVID-19 only once and 381 (10.3%) had been diagnosed confirmed with COVID-19 three times. The main symptoms were: respiratory 785 (21.2%); circulatory 743 (20.1%); fatigue 2,018 (54.6%) and cognition 1,836 (49.7%). The prevalence of physical and/or mental health symptoms for four weeks or more due to COVID-19 among Brazilian nurses was 61.6% (2,279). The following variables had a statistically significant association with the persistence of physical and/or mental health symptoms for four weeks or more due to COVID-19 among Brazilian nurses: number of times of confirmed diagnoses (p<0.001); incomplete vaccination schedule (p<0.001); presence of chronic disease (p<0.001) and sex (p<0.001).
Conclusion: It is concluded that conditions prior to diagnosis and incomplete vaccination schedule were related to the persistence of physical and/or mental health symptoms for four weeks or more due to COVID-19 among Brazilian nurses.
Descritores: Nurses; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome.
