METHODS: This is an exploratory mixed-methods study. In phase 1 (qualitative phase), three groups of participants (i.e., clinicians, employers, and workers) will be invited to participate to focus group discussions (FGDs) until thematic saturation. The aim of the FGDs is to explore the understanding, experience, and potential risk factors of Long Covid-19 among manufacturing workers. Findings from the FGDs will be analysed thematically. Themes generated from the FGDs will be used to generate items in a new questionnaire. The newly developed questionnaire will be validated using a fuzzy Delphi study, which will also be conducted among clinicians, employers, and workers. Phase 2 is a cross-sectional study that will be conducted among manufacturing workers across all states in Malaysia to identify the prevalence and risk factors of Long COVID-19, as well as the prevalence and risk factors of adverse work outcomes among workers with Long COVID-19. A multistage cluster sampling will be used to collect data from 4500 manufacturing workers in Malaysia. Logistic regression will be performed to determine the association between risk factors with both Long COVID-19 and adverse work outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Once the prevalence and risk factors of Long COVID and its associated adverse work outcome are identified, timely support and effective interventions could be provided to manufacturing workers to maintain their health and productivity.