The Impact of COVID -19 Infection on Female Health Care Workers in Iraq, 2022 |Biomedgrid

Health care workers are among the highest population at risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection. High financial and technological resources were put to cope with this health crisis. Women experience unique health risks and outcomes. Regular menstrual cycle is a vital sign of women's health and well-being. The menstrual irregularities are not only related to future chronic health problems, but also negatively affect life quality, work productivity in addition to the financial burden on the health systems. This study aimed to highlight the impact of COVID -19 infection on women health and their cycle regularity in Iraq. A cross sectional study was conducted in Mosul and Baghdad cities. A total of 300 female health care workers participated in the study with Mosul to Baghdad participation ratio 2:1. The sample was collected randomly including all reproductive age groups. Our results showed 65% of health care working female got the infection. High rate of irregular cycle was noticed (79.7%). Age, educational level, profession, economic status, smoking habit, physical activity had no significant effect on having COVID -19 infection (p = 0.9, p = 0.1, p = 0.06, p = 0.4, p = 0.6, p = 0.3, respectively). Marital status had a positive effect on getting COVID -19 infection (p = 0.00). In conclusions, High rate of COVID -19 infection was noticed among Iraqi female health care workers. Age, educational level, profession, economic status, smoking habit, and physical activity were not determinants for COVID -19 infection in this study. Marital status had a positive impact on corona infection. Female sex hormones had no impact on getting COVID -19 infection.