Impact of COVID-19 on health status of self-employed workers.

Objective: This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health status of self-employed workers by comparing their status before and during the pandemic, using nationwide data from the Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Methods: The final study included 16,620 and 14,342 self-employed participants in the 5th (2017) and 6th (2020-2021) surveys. Musculoskeletal symptoms, systemic fatigue, headache, and eye strain, as well as mental health status, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia, were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Gender, age, education level, and income were adjusted for the multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess pre- and peri-pandemic changes in the health status based on working conditions.

Results: Compared to the pre-pandemic period, all aspects of health status of self-employed individuals surveyed during the peri-pandemic period showed deterioration. Back pain increased 3.4 times (adjusted OR 3.44, 95% CI: 3.15-3.75) compared to the pre-pandemic period, followed by anxiety, which increased 2.1 times (adjusted OR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.79-2.54). For single-person businesses, the overall health status showed statistically significant deterioration, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of these groups during this period.

Conclusions: This study confirmed that the physical and mental health status of self-employed individuals significantly deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. These findings suggest the need for government health protection policies for vulnerable groups, such as self-employed individuals, during future pandemics when social control measures are implemented.