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Prevalence and factors influencing long COVID among primary healthcare workers after epidemic control policy adjustment in Jiangsu, China
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  • Bingwei Chen,
  • Hualing Chen,
  • Yongkang Qian,
  • Beier Lu,
  • Rongji Ma,
  • Pengcheng Miao,
  • Mingwang Fu,
  • Haijian Guo,
  • Ya Shen,
  • Zhengkai Shen,
  • Yan Li,
  • Biyun Xu,
  • Yongjie Zhang,
  • Jinshui Xu
Bingwei Chen
Southeast University School of Public Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Hualing Chen
Southeast University School of Public Health
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Yongkang Qian
Southeast University School of Public Health
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Beier Lu
Southeast University School of Public Health
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Rongji Ma
Southeast University School of Public Health
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Pengcheng Miao
Southeast University School of Public Health
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Mingwang Fu
Southeast University School of Public Health
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Haijian Guo
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Ya Shen
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Zhengkai Shen
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Yan Li
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Biyun Xu
Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital
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Yongjie Zhang
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Jinshui Xu
Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of long COVID infections and their influencing factors among primary HCWs after epidemic control policy adjustment in Jiangsu. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was administered through on-site surveys among primary HCWs in five counties and districts within Jiangsu Province from July 4 to July 20, 2023. Results: The prevalence of long COVID among primary HCWs stood at 12.61% (95% confidence interval (CI) of 11.67%-13.55%). The most common long COVID symptoms were hypomnesia (4.90%), sleep difficulties (2.73%), fatigue (2.35%), disturbances in the reproductive system (1.93%), hair loss (1.85%), and myalgia/arthralgia (1.51%). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that older age groups (30-45 years (adjusted odds ratios (aOR) =1.93, 95%CI: 1.44-2.58), 45-60 years (aOR=2.82, 95%CI: 2.07-3.84)), females (aOR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.03-1.55), and higher work stress (high stress (aOR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.24-1.86), extremely high stress (aOR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.03-1.82)) were more prone to long COVID. Conversely, individuals with educational attainment below the bachelor’s degree (aOR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.55-0.82) and those who received four or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.33-0.92) were at a reduced risk. Conclusion: To mitigate the incidence of long COVID, healthcare providers and authorities should implement effective measures, including optimizing work-rest schedules and actively advocating for vaccination.