Assessing the Physical and Psychological Well-being of Construction Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Study in Italy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to assess the physical and psychological health of construction workers and examine the relationship between their well-being and the preventive measures implemented against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: During occupational visit, the workers were invited to participate the survey. Two measurements were made and compared after the Italian lockdown and on the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Fifty-three workers participated in the study. The percentage of workers who considered themselves in good health increased from 66.0% to 81.1%, and there was a significant decrease in the 12-item General Health Questionnaire score (16.8 vs 14.0, P = 0.0003). This reduction was associated with a higher perception of security by preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of addressing the health and safety concerns of construction workers during the pandemic, and the positive impact of effective preventive measures.