Basic education teachers post-COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence of disease symptoms and association with health habits and behaviors.

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may be associated with health problems arising after recovery from disease-specific symptoms; these are understood as sequelae.

Objectives: To analyze health problems arising from COVID-19 and their associated factors among basic education teachers in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Methods: Epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical study, using an online survey design, carried out with teachers working in basic education in the public school system. Data collection took place between October and December 2021 using an online form. The dependent variable was health problems resulting from COVID-19, categorized as no vs. yes. Descriptive bivariate and multiple analyzes were carried out using Poisson regression.

Results: A total of 1,907 teachers participated in the study, 77.2% of whom were female, 94.4% were under 60 years old, 21.4% were part of at least one high-risk group for COVID-19, and 99.5% had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the total number of teachers, 19.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19; among these, 41.9% reported some health problem resulting from COVID-19. There was a higher prevalence of health problems resulting from COVID-19 among teachers who reported poor sleep quality (prevalence ratio = 1.79), who were depressed (prevalence ratio = 1.39), and who were part of at least one high-risk group for COVID-19 (prevalence ratio = 1.46).

Conclusions: Among teachers who contracted COVID-19, a substantial prevalence of health problems resulting from this infection was observed, as well as major health outcomes associated with these problems.