Associations among infection prevention professionals' mental/physical health, lifestyle behaviors, shift length, race, and workplace wellness support during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 added stress to infection prevention professionals' (IPs) work-life that may have impacted their well-being. This study aimed to describe IPs' mental and physical health and lifestyle behaviors during the pandemic and their associations with IP role, perceived worksite wellness support, shift length, and race and/or ethnicity.

METHODS

A random sample of Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology members (6,000) were emailed a survey assessing mental and physical well-being, lifestyle behaviors, and perceived worksite wellness support.

RESULTS

A total of 926 IPs responded (15% response rate). Few met guidelines for sleep (34.1%), physical activity (18.8%), and fruit and vegetable consumption (7.3%). Rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout were 21.5%, 29.8%, and 65%. Front line and practicing IPs and IP administrators and directors had more negative mental health impacts than IPs in other roles. IPs with organizational wellness support were less likely to report negative COVID-19 impacts. IPs working 9-11+ hours/day were more likely to report worsening physical and mental health due to COVID-19. There were no significant differences in odds of negative COVID-19 impacts on lifestyle behaviors between white and racial and ethnically diverse IPs.

CONCLUSIONS

IPs who worked shorter shifts and had more organizational wellness support had better well-being outcomes. Organizations must fix system issues that result in poor health and invest in workforce wellness.