SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and long COVID among California farmworkers

• Published in: The Journal of rural health 2024-03, Vol.40 (2), p.292-302
• Main Authors: Mora, Ana M., Kogut, Katherine, Sandhu, Nimrat K., Ridgway, Derry, Patty, Chris M., Renteria, Melissa, Morga, Norma, Rodriguez, Maria T., Romero, Monica, Valdovinos, Jose M., Torres‐Nguyen, Alma, Guzman, Omar, Martinez, Mario, Doty, Richard L., Padilla, Ana, Flores, Edward, Brown, Paul M., Eskenazi, Brenda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agriculture; Antibodies; Body mass index; Body size; California; California - epidemiology; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyspnea; Farmers; farmworker health; Farmworkers; Functional impairment; Health status; Humans; IgG antibody; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulins; Infections; Long COVID; Mental health; Obesity; Olfaction; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Respiration; SARS-CoV-2; SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; Secondary schools; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Sociodemographics; Symptoms; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 0890-765X; 1748-0361
• DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12796

Purpose The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to determine the prevalence of long COVID and identify its clinical manifestations among farmworkers in California. Methods We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometrics, clinical chemistries and anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G antibodies, self‐reported SARS‐CoV‐2 infection history, and standardized health tests and scales from 297 farmworkers in California between February and July 2022. Results Most participants were born in Mexico or Central America, had less than a high school diploma, and were overweight or obese. The prevalence of long COVID (defined as self‐reported SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with symptoms >28 days) among farmworkers with a suspected or test‐confirmed infection was 61.8%. Participants with long COVID had higher mean [95% CI] body mass index (32.9 [31.6‐34.1]) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels (4.8 [3.7, 6.0]) than those with no COVID‐19 history (30.5 [29.3‐31.7], and 3.3 [2.2, 4.3], respectively). Farmworkers with long COVID also reported greater fatigue, dyspnea, taste and smell problems, and overall poorer mental and physical health, than those with no COVID‐19 history. Farmworkers with long COVID had increased odds of functional limitations compared to those with a self‐reported SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with symptoms ≤28 days (OR [95% CI]: 7.46 [3.26, 17.09]). Conclusions A significant proportion of farmworkers experience long COVID with persistent symptoms that limit their ability to perform their work. A comprehensive approach that addresses the unique needs and challenges of farmworkers is warranted given this population's high prevalence of long COVID and the essential nature of their work.