In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, immediate management measures (such as business closures) were implemented in 2020, with a potential impact on the occupational groups monitored as part of the Coset surveillance program. For this reason, in the wake of the first lockdown, Santé publique France launched the Coset-Covid survey among participants in its Coset-MSA and Coset-Indépendants cohorts to document the occupational situation and health of workers in the agricultural sector (farmers, employees) and self-employed workers (artisans, merchants, professionals, other managers).

The results of this survey, published today, show that the lockdown had a significant impact on the work of these professionals, particularly non-agricultural self-employed individuals. In terms of health and health behaviors, the impacts of this period were notable, though differences were observed between genders and occupational subgroups. Certain groups exhibited a higher prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms following the end of lockdown in June 2020. Furthermore, the likelihood of experiencing anxiety or depressive symptoms appeared greater in the presence of certain occupational factors indicative of unfavorable working conditions during the lockdown.

Coset-COVID Survey: What Do the Results Tell Us?

The spring 2020 lockdown had a significant impact on business activity and working conditions

What was the impact on business activity?

• Among non-agricultural self-employed workers: nearly half of artisans and merchants were affected by complete shutdowns during the lockdown, and those who continued to work experienced significant drops in revenue (more than 50% for over half).

• Among agricultural workers: work stoppages were rare among the self-employed, and slightly more common among employees (one in five stopped working partially).

What was the impact on working conditions?

For professionals who continued to work, changes in working arrangements and conditions varied widely. The adoption or shift to remote work affected half of the self-employed professionals and other managers, and nearly 80% of office workers in the agricultural sector, but remained a minority in other groups. While a significant portion of workers saw a reduction or elimination of face-to-face contact with colleagues and co-workers, or with the public (customers, patients, users) during this period, some experienced increased interpersonal tensions, particularly more than a quarter of retail workers, with their customers.

What are the impacts on health and health behaviors?

There is a notable impact on health and health behaviors, in terms of sleep, alcohol, tobacco, and psychotropic drug use, and the avoidance of medical care.

• In terms of alcohol, tobacco, and psychotropic drug use

Among non-agricultural self-employed individuals and agricultural employees with office-based work, one in six increased their alcohol consumption, and more than one in four experienced worsened sleep disturbances. An increase in tobacco and psychotropic drug use was observed among a significant proportion of non-agricultural self-employed individuals, though less frequently among agricultural workers.

• In terms of depressive and anxiety disorders

In the aftermath of the lockdown, nearly 20% of women artisans, shopkeepers, and independent professionals suffered from anxiety, and 20% of women in independent professions exhibited depressive symptoms, though it was not possible to directly link these figures to the lockdown due to a lack of available baseline data.

The likelihood of experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression was nevertheless associated with certain adverse working conditions or changes during lockdown, such as increased interpersonal tensions with the public or colleagues, longer working hours or shifts to weekends or evenings, or an inability to isolate oneself to work from home.

• In terms of sleep disorders

Among non-agricultural self-employed workers and agricultural employees with office-based work, sleep disturbances worsened during this period for more than a quarter of men and more than a third of women.

• In terms of foregoing medical care

Whether among non-agricultural self-employed individuals or agricultural workers, approximately one-third foregone medical care during this period, most often due to postponed or canceled appointments, the closure of medical offices, and/or the non-urgent nature of the care.

What can we learn from the results of the Coset-COVID survey?

This report provides a snapshot of the post-lockdown situation in June 2020 and quantifies the impact of the first wave of the pandemic on these professionals.

It does not allow for an assessment of the overall consequences of the epidemic to date, as subsequent waves of the epidemic (accompanied by new restrictions, lockdowns, or containment measures) have subsequently weighed on economic activity.

A new survey is planned within the Coset cohorts in 2022 to assess the extent to which the observed changes and their links to health status have evolved in these populations.

These results complement other studies on workers’ mental health in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will provide prevention stakeholders and social partners with insights to address future crises and explore alternative approaches.