Living With School-Aged Children and the Risk of Absenteeism Among Healthcare Workers During the Twindemic of COVID-19 and Influenza

Background

The impact of the simultaneous circulation of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, termed the “Twindemic,” on absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly those with children, remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations of living with school-aged children with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infections and the risk of absenteeism due to own- or family-related COVID-19 or influenza events among HCWs during the Twindemic.

Methods

This prospective study followed 1473 HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Tokyo from December 2023 to March 2024. We tracked the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infections and absenteeism due to COVID-19 or influenza-related family events. We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) or incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of these outcomes across living arrangements, focusing on cohabitation with school-aged children.

Findings

HCWs living with younger school-aged children (≤ third grade of junior school) had a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infections, with HRs [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 1.90 [0.97–3.69] and 2.42 [1.04–5.66], respectively, compared with those living with cohabitants without school-aged children. Additionally, they showed a higher IRR [95% CI] for absenteeism due to family-related events (10.9 [4.88–24.5]), and their overall IRR [95% CI] of absenteeism due to own/family-related events was 3.76 [2.59–5.46].

Conclusion

The Twindemic has heightened absenteeism risks among HCWs with school-aged children, emphasizing the need for targeted support to help HCWs manage both their professional duties and family responsibilities during such challenging times.