ABSTRACT
Aim
To assess the morbidity and absenteeism due to SARS-CoV-2 infection or influenza among healthcare personnel (HCP) in Greece in 2023-2024.
Methods
We followed 5871 HCP from November 13, 2023, to May 26, 2024, for absenteeism. Absenteeism for non-infectious causes, pregnancy leave, or annual leave was not recorded. A multivariable regression was used to estimate the association between length of absenteeism, HCP characteristics and type of infection.
Results
There were 759 episodes of absenteeism during the study period (12.9 episodes per 100 HCP). The mean duration of absence per episode was 4.5 days and the total duration of absence was 3434 days. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 507 (8.6%) HCP, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in 10 (0.2%) HCP, and influenza in 88 (1.5%) COVID-19, influenza, and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection accounted for 66.8%, 11.6%, and 1.3% of episodes of absenteeism, respectively. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 infection and influenza accounted for 76.5% and 9.7% of total days missed, respectively. Presenteeism was recorded in 113 (14.9%) HCP. The multivariable regression model found that having COVID-19 or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and having at least one comorbidity were significantly associated with a mean of 1.76 and 0.25 more days of work absence compared to those with no SARS-CoV-2 infection and no comorbidity, respectively (confidence intervals: 1.55-1.98 and 0.05-0.46, respectively).
Conclusion
COVID-19 remains the major driver of absenteeism among HCP.