How do Vaccinators Experience the Pandemic? Lifestyle Behaviors in a Sample of Italian Public Health Workers during the COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Public health workers (PHWs) have experienced substantial workload changes because of their role in managing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The study’s aim was to assess lifestyle changes in Italian PHWs during the pandemic. PHWs attending an annual meeting completed an anonymous questionnaire assessing their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and lifestyle changes during the pandemic. A total of 1000 questionnaires were completed. Most participants (63.5% women, mean age 40 ± 13.1 years) were of normal weight (61.5%), non-smokers (81.9%), had a total screen time of ≥5 h/day (83.1%), and slept at least 6 h/night (88.7%). Approximately one-third consumed sweet foods every day (30%) and did not engage in physical activity (34.6%). Current sweet food consumption, physical activity, and sleep were associated with changes in these behaviors in the last 2 years (Tau-b = 0.155; Tau-b = −0.175; Tau-b = −0.276, respectively, p < 0.001). An increase in remote working was associated with worse sleep (odds ratio (OR) 2.065, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.482–2.877) and diet (OR 1.982, 95% CI 1.385–2.838), and increased tablet/PC use (OR 3.314, 95% CI 2.358–4.656). Health promotion measures are needed to support the adoption of healthy lifestyles in this population during the current pandemic.

Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in Early 2021 at the Start of the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in Cape Town, South Africa

“…In addition, there is evidence suggesting that HCWs’ lifestyle changes can shape their behaviour, and HCWs’ attitudes towards vaccination may be associated with changes in lifestyle. This was reported in a recent study in Italy where Gallé and colleagues assessed changes in public HCWs’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic era [ 38 ]. In a total of 1000 public HCWs that completed the study questionnaire, observed changes included that more than half of the HCWs had normal weight, were non-smokers, and slept at least 6 h per night.…”

“…HCWs’ attitudes towards vaccination may be associated with changes in lifestyle (such as weight, diet, physical activity, and sleep), as shown in a recent study in Italy by Gallé and colleagues assessing changes in public HCWs’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 38 ]. However, we did not test for the impact of HCWs’ lifestyle changes with respect to influenza vaccines at the start of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Cape Town.…”

“…We recommend that more research on influenza vaccine hesitancy in HCWs be carried out in other parts of South Africa in order to determine whether vaccination uptake and hesitancy is a general trend. In addition, we recommend that future studies include questions that address HCWs’ lifestyle (such as weight, diet, physical activity, and sleep), as these may be associated with attitudes towards vaccination, as shown in a recent study in Italy by Gallé and colleagues assessing changes in public HCWs’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic era [ 38 ].…”

The Willingness of the Healthcare Professionals Working in Healthcare Institutions to Accept the First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine in Jordan: A National Survey

“…Previous literature suggested that public health workers are experiencing workload changes because of their role in preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19. They are also experiencing lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic such as physical inactivity and daily sweet food consumption [ 16 ]. Healthcare professionals are more likely to have access to the vaccine at an early stage and play a significant role in providing information about the vaccine for the general population.…”

How Can We Help Healthcare Workers during a Catastrophic Event Such as the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…Lastly, we could only analyze the support measures that were implemented in our hospitals. Other support measures have also been described as useful in the literature, such as working on an effective and clear communication between HCWs, the adaptation of the workplace structure (with, for example, the implementation of regular breaks and of relaxation areas, the adaptation of time tables), training courses for HCWs to better deal with difficult situations and the promotion of good health behaviors such as providing access to physical activity facilities [ 14 , 15 , 19 , 25 ].…”