Indicadores de Mortalidade e Impacto por Covid-19 em Trabalhadores da Saúde

Abstract

Introduction: According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 were registered in healthcare professionals by the end of January 2021, in 183 countries. Brazil occupies second place in the number of deaths in the world ranking, behind only the United States of America (USA) and India. In this context, there was a lack of data on some occupations to the detriment of others, limiting and making it difficult for health surveillance to plan actions aimed at protecting workers. Objective: To estimate indicators of mortality and impact due to COVID-19 in different groups of health workers in Bahia, in the period between 2020 and 2022. Method: An epidemiological, descriptive and exploratory study was carried out. Deaths were extracted from the Mortality Information System (SIM). Population data were obtained from Class Councils, the National Registry of Health Establishments (CNES) and the National Immunization Program Information System (SI-PNI). The mortality coefficient was calculated and presented for one thousand workers. Potential Years of Life Lost (YYL) and Productive Years of Life Lost (YYY) due to COVID-19 were estimated in each age group. An analysis was carried out between mortality coefficients and vaccination rate against COVID-19. Results: Of the total number of deaths (n=403), the majority were female (63.3%), aged 40 years or over (85.4%), of brown race/skin color (52 .1%) and with secondary and technical education (48.1%). The highest mortality rates were observed in Elderly/Health Caregivers, Health Agents, Veterinarians/Zootechnicians, Biologists and Pharmacy/Office Attendants. Regarding the evolution of mortality, the presence of three waves was observed, with a reduction in deaths after the start of vaccination. In total, 6,771 APVP and 6,778 APrVP were estimated, with a greater impact on females, in the 40 to 49 age group and in professional categories that work directly in care. Discussion: By surveying deaths, it was possible to estimate impact indicators, which reveal the social value of premature mortality and the reduction in the workforce. Thus, when death occurs at a stage in which life is potentially productive, it affects not only the individual, but also society as a whole, as its economic and intellectual potential is lost. Conclusion: The results showed a high impact generated by COVID-19 on the health workforce in Bahia, mainly in groups of workers little mentioned in the literature.