Post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Healthcare Personnel in Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose: Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been infecting the world including healthcare personnel (HCP), but many survivors still experienced symptoms although had recovered with negative PCR results. This study aimed to identify post-COVID-19 syndrome among HCP in our hospital. Methods & Materials: We conducted a cross-sectional study, asking HCP, surviving COVID-19 from April 2020 until February 2021, confirmed by twice negative PCR SARS CoV-2, and still working at the hospital at the time the research was conducted, to fill in an online questionnaire asking questions about symptoms related to post COVID-19 syndrome. Results: Total study participants who completed the questionnaire were 164, 106 (65%) of them were women, consisted of 21 (13%) specialists, 52 (32%) residents, and 91 (55%) nurses. The average age was 37 (26 – 69) years old. When they experienced COVID-19, 60 (37%) participants were in asymptomatic, 76 (46%) mild, 26 (16%) moderate, and 2 (1%) severe-critical condition. Among participants, 78 (48%) still had symptoms by the time the survey was conducted, 61 (78.2%) were women, and these symptoms were still experienced in 41 (53%) survivors who had recovered more than 3 months. Fatigue was the most common symptom reported (55, 71%), followed by cough (15, 19%), joint pain (12, 15%), headache (10, 13%), muscle pain (9, 12%), breathing difficulty (7,9%), anosmia (5, 6%), bitter tongue (4, 5%). Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 syndrome was quite common in HCP and this might cause the inability to work, treat, and care for patients optimally. Particular attention should be paid to this condition.