Impact of occupational SARS-CoV-2 risk on the mental distress of non-healthcare employees in Germany

Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic posed major challenges to employees and companies. Differences between industries and professions in occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (OSIR) became apparent early on. This study examines the mental distress in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms of non-healthcare workers during the first and second Corona waves in Germany. Methods We conducted an online survey from December 2020 to June 2021 among employees from industrial enterprises, local public transport, the public and the financial sector. High and potential OSIR was defined based on job information. Depression and anxiety symptoms were rated with the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). Categorized PHQ-4 scores were modeled with ordinal random-intercept logistic multinomial regression models and presented with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results Overall, 516 of 1,545 participants (33.4%) were determined to be at increased OSIR. Anxiety and depression symptoms worsened during the pandemic in all OSIR groups. Risks for more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms were higher among employees with high (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.33-4.16) and potential OSIR (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.43) compared to employees without OSIR. Severity of mental distress differed also by the extent of perceived job protection, interactions with colleagues, work-privacy conflicts, and overcommitment. Conclusions OSIR had a negative impact on employee’s depressive symptoms and anxiety. Reducing SARS-CoV-2 exposure through workplace protective measures, strengthening interactions among colleagues, and supporting employees with work-privacy conflicts could help better protect employees’ mental health. Key messages • The risk for more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms increases with higher occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. • Improvements in SARS-CoV-2 exposure at work, colleague interactions, and work-privacy conflicts could help better protect mental health.


Background:
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic posed major challenges to employees and companies. Differences between industries and professions in occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (OSIR) became apparent early on. This study examines the mental distress in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms of non-healthcare workers during the first and second Corona waves in Germany.

Methods:
We conducted an online survey from December 2020 to June 2021 among employees from industrial enterprises, local public transport, the public and the financial sector. High and potential OSIR was defined based on job information. Depression and anxiety symptoms were rated with the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). Categorized PHQ-4 scores were modeled with ordinal random-intercept logistic multinomial regression models and presented with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results:
Overall, 516 of 1,545 participants (33.4%) were determined to be at increased OSIR. Anxiety and depression symptoms worsened during the pandemic in all OSIR groups. Risks for more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms were higher among employees with high (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.33-4.16) and potential OSIR (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.43) compared to employees without OSIR. Severity of mental distress differed also by the extent of perceived job protection, interactions with colleagues, work-privacy conflicts, and overcommitment.

Conclusions:
OSIR had a negative impact on employee's depressive symptoms and anxiety. Reducing SARS-CoV-2 exposure through workplace protective measures, strengthening interactions among colleagues, and supporting employees with work-privacy conflicts could help better protect employees' mental health. Key messages: The risk for more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms increases with higher occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. Improvements in SARS-CoV-2 exposure at work, colleague interactions, and work-privacy conflicts could help better protect mental health.

Background:
The number of employed people with certain mental or chronic illnesses is increasing. Given the fact that these are mainly diseases of the elderly and the fact that working life is increasing and populations are aging, we are already facing a public health problem that can increase without appropriate measures. Dementia mainly affects the elderly, but may occur in employed persons as well. This impairs their ability to work and is associated with costs. For the first time in Slovenia we performed a study to assess health absenteeism due to the diagnosis of dementia in the period from 2015 to 2018, to show its economic consequences and to plan the measures.

Methods:
The method of direct and indirect costs was used. We showed the indirect costs, which represent a loss, ie goods and services not produced on the market, namely, absenteeism due to dementia, and its economic impact. The costs of temporary absence from work were calculated on the basis of data obtained from the national health databases. The estimated cost of compensation for absence from work is based on the average gross salary. International Classification of Diseases-10 edition was used for the diagnoses of dementia; the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia was the source of financial data.

Results:
Temporary absence from work due to the diagnosis of dementia in the period 2015-2018 in Slovenia amounted to around 0.6% of all calculated direct and indirect costs for this period, amounting to 11,037,275.00 EUR. The cost has been rising over the years.

Conclusions:
The results are underestimated, as rare cases of dementia are diagnosed before the age of 65 and due to data limitations. The employers should keep affected persons as long as possible active by adjusting the labour environment, working hours, providing an ergonomically designed workplace or by implementing preventive measures. These will reflect in positive financial effects on the economy, companies and the individuals.

Key messages:
It is fundamental to encourage employers of persons with dementia to keep them in the initial phase of dementia active for as long as possible by adopting proper measures. Awareness of dementia is extremely important, as rapid recognition of signs of dementia and subsequent diagnosis, allow early and appropriate treatment.