Determinants of Sickness Absence Duration After Mild COVID-19 in a Prospective Cohort of Canadian Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify modifiable factors associated with sickness absence duration after a COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Participants in a prospective cohort of 4964 Canadian healthcare workers were asked how many working days they had missed after a positive COVID-19 test. Only completed episodes with absence ≤31 working day and no hospital admission were included. Cox regression estimated the contribution of administrative guidelines, vaccinations, work factors, personal characteristics, and symptom severity.

Results: A total of 1520 episodes of COVID-19 were reported by 1454 participants. Days off work reduced as the pandemic progressed and were fewer with increasing numbers of vaccines received. Time-off was longer with greater symptom severity and shorter where there was a provision for callback with clinical necessity.

Conclusions: Vaccination, an important modifiable factor, related to shorter sickness absence. Provision to recall workers at time of clinical need reduced absence duration.