scholarly journals Assessment of perceived compliance and barriers to Personal Protective Equipment use among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic’s second wave surge: “walk to talk” cross-sectional correlational study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Eman F. Badran ◽  
Samiha Jarrah ◽  
Rami Masadeh ◽  
Alhanoof Al hammad ◽  
Rana Al Shimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Member ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Acquisition Training ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Second Wave

Abstract Introduction: Due of their near closeness to COVID-19 patients, healthcare workers (HCWs) have a great desire to utilize proper personal protective equipment (PPEs). Aim: Investigating HCWs’ perceptions of PPE compliance and barriers, as well as influencing factors, in order to develop methods to combat the rise in their infection rates. Methodology: During the ‘second wave’ surge, a cross-sectional correlational analysis was conducted over a one-month period. It consists of HCWs from various hospital sectors that admit COVID-19 patients using an online self-administered predesigned tool. Results: Of the 285 recruited participants, 36.1% had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. Around 71% received training on PPEs use. The perceived compliance was good for (PPEs) usage (mean 2.60 ± 1.10). A significant higher compliance level was correlated with previous diagnosis with COVID-19, working with patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and having a direct contact with a family member older than 45 years old (p<0.01). The main perceived barriers to the use of PPEs were: unavailability of full PPEs (35%), interference with their ability to provide patient care (29%), not enough time to comply with the rigors of PPEs (23.2%), and working in emergency situation (22.5%). With regards to perceived barriers those working with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and those who reported having a direct contact with a family member older than 45 years old showed significantly higher level of barriers. Conclusion: A series of measures, including prioritization of PPE acquisition, training, and monitoring to guarantee appropriate resources for IPC, are necessary to reduce transmission.

scholarly journals Stress and Associated Factors among Frontline Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Epicenter of Da Nang City, Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7378
Author(s):  
Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Duong Dinh Le ◽  
Robert Colebunders ◽  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Trung Dinh Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Stress Component ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Laboratory Workers ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Second Wave

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response have a higher risk of experiencing psychosocial distress amidst the pandemic. Between July and September 2020, a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in Vietnam with Da Nang city being the epicenter. During the outbreak, HCWs were quarantined within the health facilities in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 to their respective communities. Using the stress component of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), we assessed the level of stress among HCWs in Da Nang city. Between 30 August and 15 September 2020, 746 frontline HCWs were recruited to fill in an online structured questionnaire. Overall, 44.6% of participants experienced increased stress and 18.9% severe or extremely severe stress. In multivariable analysis, increased stress was associated with longer working hours (OR = 1.012; 95% CI: 1.004–1.019), working in health facilities providing COVID-19 treatment (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04–2.39), having direct contact with patients or their bio-samples (physicians, nurses and laboratory workers; OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99), low confidence in the available personal protective equipment (OR = 0.846; 95% CI: 0.744–0.962) and low knowledge on COVID-19 prevention and treatment (OR = 0.853; 95% CI: 0.739–0.986). In conclusion, many frontline HCWs experienced increased stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang city. Reducing working time, providing essential personal protective equipment and enhancing the knowledge on COVID-19 will help to reduce this stress. Moreover, extra support is needed for HCWs who are directly exposed to COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals COVID-19 infections among Healthcare Workers and Transmission within Households

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin L. Schwartz ◽  
Camille Achonu ◽  
Sarah A. Buchan ◽  
Kevin A. Brown ◽  
Brenda Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nosocomial Transmission ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testing Bias

AbstractImportanceProtecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 is a priority to maintain a safe and functioning healthcare system. The risk of transmitting COVID-19 to family members is a source of stress for many.ObjectiveTo describe and compare HCW and non-HCW COVID-19 cases in Ontario, Canada, as well as the frequency of COVID-19 among HCWs’ household members.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing reportable disease data at Public Health Ontario which captures all COVID-19 cases in Ontario, Canada, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study comparing demographic, exposure, and clinical variables between HCWs and non-HCWs with COVID-19 as of 14 May 2020. We calculated rates of infections over time and determined the frequency of within household transmissions using natural language processing based on residential address.Exposures and OutcomesWe contrasted age, gender, comorbidities, clinical presentation (including asymptomatic and presymptomatic), exposure histories including nosocomial transmission, and clinical outcomes between HCWs and non-HCWs with confirmed COVID-19.ResultsThere were 4,230 (17.5%) HCW COVID-19 cases in Ontario, of whom 20.2% were nurses, 2.3% were physicians, and the remaining 77.4% other specialties. HCWs were more likely to be between 30-60 years of age and female. HCWs were more likely to present asymptomatically (8.1% versus 7.0%, p=0.010) or with atypical symptoms (17.8% versus 10.5%, p<0.001). The mortality among HCWs was 0.2% compared to 10.5% of non-HCWs. HCWs commonly had exposures to a confirmed case or outbreak (74.1%), however only 3.1% were confirmed to be nosocomial. The rate of new infections was 5.5 times higher in HCWs than non-HCWs, but mirrored the epidemic curve. We identified 391 (9.8%) probable secondary household transmissions and 143 (3.6%) acquisitions. Children < 19 years comprised 14.6% of secondary cases compared to only 4.2% of the primary cases.Conclusions and RelevanceHCWs represent a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases in Ontario but with low confirmed numbers of nosocomial transmission. The data support substantial testing bias and under-ascertainment of general population cases. Protecting HCWs through appropriate personal protective equipment and physical distancing from colleagues is paramount.Key PointsQuestionWhat are the differences between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with COVID-19?FindingsIn this population-based cross-sectional study there were 4,230 healthcare workers comprising 17.5% of COVID-19 cases. Healthcare workers were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a rate 5.5 times higher than the general population with 0.8% of all healthcare workers, compared to 0.1% of non-healthcare workers.MeaningHigh healthcare worker COVID-19 burden highlights the importance of physical distancing from colleagues, appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as likely substantial testing bias and under-ascertainment of COVID-19 in the general population.

scholarly journals Impact of enhanced personal protective equipment on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare workers during COVID-19

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramanathan Swaminathan ◽  
Bimantha Perera Mukundadura ◽  
Shashi Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare workers in patient-facing roles. We describe the impact on the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals who use enhanced PPE consistently.MethodsWe conducted a single-centre, cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals who use enhanced PPE. A web-based questionnaire was disseminated to evaluate the effects on individuals’ physical and mental well-being. Physical and mental impact was assessed through a visual analogue scale.ResultsProspective analysis of the views of 72 respondents is reported. 63.9% were women and 36.1% were men. Physical impact included exhaustion, headache, skin changes, breathlessness and a negative impact on vision. Communication difficulties, somnolence, negative impact on overall performance and difficulties in using surgical instrumentation were reported.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the undeniable negative impact on the front-line healthcare workers using enhanced PPE and lays the ground for larger multicentric assessments given for it to potentially be the norm for the foreseeable future.

scholarly journals Practices of Healthcare Workers regarding Infection Prevention in Bale Zone Hospitals, Southeast Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demisu Zenbaba ◽  
Biniyam Sahiledengle ◽  
Daniel Bogale
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bale Zone

Introduction. In Ethiopia, infection prevention to protect patients, healthcare workers, and visitors from healthcare-acquired infections is one of a number of nationwide transformational initiatives to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services. The aim of this research was to assess the practice of healthcare workers regarding infection prevention and its associated factors in Bale zone Hospitals. Methods. A cross-sectional study targeted 402 healthcare workers using simple random sampling to learn about their practices related to infection prevention. Data were collected in interviews using pretested, structured questionnaires. Returned questionnaires were checked for completeness and then data were entered into a database and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to determine the strength of association, and variables with a p value <0.05 in the final model were considered as statistically significant. Results. Three hundred ninety-four healthcare workers participated in the study. Of these; 145 (36.8%, 95% CI 32, 42%) of them were found to have self-reported good infection prevention practice. Good knowledge towards infection prevention (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.02, 3.31), availability of personal protective equipment (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.16, 3.32), and water (AOR = 4.42, 95% 2.66, 7.34) at workplace were found to have a statistically significant association with healthcare workers self-reported good infection prevention practices. Conclusions. In this study, slightly more than one-third of the healthcare workers reported to have good infection prevention practice. Good knowledge towards infection prevention, working in departments, availability of personal protective equipment, and water at work place were found to have statistically significant association with self-reported good infection prevention practices.

DELIVERING INTENSIVE CARE TO COVID-19 PATIENTS WHILE PROTECTING THEMSELVES: CHALLENGES FACED BY FRONT LINE ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-21
Author(s):  
Monica Chhikara ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
Priyanka Bansal ◽  
Reena Mahajan ◽  
Preeti Gehlaut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Airway Management ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Junior Residents

Background and Objectives: Frontline anaesthesiologist working in Covid 19 Intensive care units are the key to the management and containment of this infectious disease. Hence, their protection is of utmost importance in managing this epidemic. The equipment used for this purpose, pose technical difculties. This study is a survey of these challenges faced by anaesthesiologists. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross sectional questionnaire based study which included 67 Anesthesiologist junior residents, senior residents and consultants. A valid Google form Questionnaire regarding technical difculties due to use of personal protective equipment was prepared and sent online to all participants. The responses were recorded and tabulated. Results: Physical fatigue due to PPE was experienced by 36(53.7%) residents and difculties in airway management by 66(98.5%) residents. Fogging of goggles was the major difculty (52.2%) during airway management. Intubation while using only PPE (71.6%) was a preferred method of intubation rather than using acrylic box (4.5%) or transparent sheet (23.9%). Apart from managing airway, other procedures like central venous cannulation was found to be always difcult (23.9%). Training program for managing pandemic was found to be helpful and 70.1% residents expressed the need for its conduct before every posting. Conclusion: Managing Covid 19 patients in a highly demanding area like intensive care units while using personal protective equipment has unveiled special challenges and concerns for frontline anaesthesiologists. Addressing them appropriately is the need of hour for the wellbeing of healthcare workers and effective patient management.

scholarly journals The Association between Using Personal Protective Equipment and Headache among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-583
Author(s):  
Nahar M. Alreshidi ◽  
Salmah Alghamdi ◽  
Faygah Shibily ◽  
Alaa Mahsoon ◽  
Nofaa Alasmee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Chronic Headache ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Group B

It is mandatory that healthcare workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that wearing PPE for a prolonged time may lead to symptoms of physical discomfort including headache. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and association between prolonged use of PPE and headaches. This was a cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of healthcare workers who worked with COVID-19 patients in clinical settings was recruited. The data were collected through an electronic survey shared as a link through social media. This study included 1060 participants, 753 (71%) female and 307 (29%) male. Participants were divided into two groups. Group A had 628 (60%) participants who did not have chronic headache before the COVID-19 pandemic, while Group B contained 432 (40%) participants who had a previous chronic headache. Headaches differed significantly between Groups A and B in frequency, type, location, and quality during the COVID-19 period. The analysis found a significant relationship between duration of PPE use and headache occurrence. The significant relationship between the duration of PPE usage and headache occurrence among healthcare workers should be considered when refining policies and procedures regarding prolonged PPE use.

scholarly journals Availability and use of personal protective equipment and satisfaction of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wakgari Deressa ◽  
Alemayehu Worku ◽  
Workeabeba Abebe ◽  
Muluken Gizaw ◽  
Wondwossen Amogne
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Risk of infection can be minimized by use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The aim of this study was to assess the availability and use of PPE, and satisfaction of HCPs with PPE in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1134 HCPs in June 2020. A systematic random sampling and consecutive sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with satisfaction of healthcare workers. Results The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 30.26 ± 6.43 year and 52.6% were females. Nurses constituted about 40% of the overall sample, followed by physicians (22.2%), interns (10.8%), midwives (10.3%) and others (16.7%). The majority (77%) of the HCPs reported that their hospital did not have adequate PPE. A critical shortage of N95 respirators was particularly reported, it only increased from 13 to 24% before and during COVID-19, respectively. The use of N95 increased from 9 to 21% before and during COVID-19, respectively. Almost 72% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the availability and use of PPE in their hospital. The independent predictors of the respondents’ satisfaction level about PPE were healthcare workers who reported that PPE was adequately available in the hospital (adjusted OR = 7.65, 95% CI:5.09–11.51), and preparedness to provide care to COVID-19 cases (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.42–3.03). Conclusions A critical shortage of appropriate PPE and high level of dissatisfaction with the availability and use of PPE were identified. Therefore, urgent efforts are needed to adequately supply the healthcare facilities with appropriate PPE to alleviate the challenges.

scholarly journals Knowledge and experience of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Tema, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1022
Author(s):  
Mercy N. A. Opare-Addo ◽  
Josephine Mensah ◽  
Janice Osei Donkor ◽  
Amos Amoako-Adusei ◽  
Angela Opoku-Bona
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sufficient Knowledge ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a pandemic caused by a novel human coronavirus previously known as 2019-nCov. Healthcare workers are essential in the response to and management of such infectious diseases.  Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Tema General Hospital, Ghana. Data was collected from healthcare workers using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was done for all socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. Level of knowledge about coronavirus disease and factors influencing participants’ willingness to work were summarized as frequencies, percentages and charts. Chi-square test was used to test for association between level of knowledge and all independent variables.  Results: A total of 157 healthcare workers participated in this study. The news media (135, 85.99%) was the commonest source of information for participants. Almost half of participants (47.8%) had been tested for coronavirus disease, and 91.08% had sufficient knowledge about the disease. Occupation (p=0.047) was significantly associated with participants’ level of knowledge. A total of 46.49% disagreed with adequacy of personal protective equipment provided, with 70.06% admitting they have had to use their own personal protective equipment at work. A sense of duty (20, 31.8%) and motivation (14, 22.2%) positively influenced participants’ ability to work while challenges faced included fear of contracting and transmitting the virus (98.7%) and stigmatization (70.7%).  Conclusions: The healthcare workers had sufficient knowledge about coronavirus disease. Insufficient personal protective equipment was evident during the pandemic. Measures must be established to ensure that barriers to work are eliminated while factors that enhance work output are encouraged.

scholarly journals Association of Personal Protective Equipment with De Novo Headaches in Frontline Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S79-S85
Author(s):  
Rumeesha Zaheer ◽  
Maheen Khan ◽  
Ahmed Tanveer ◽  
Amal Farooq ◽  
Zohaib Khurshid
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
New Onset

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to determine the association of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage with new-onset headaches and exacerbation of pre-existing headache disorders among healthcare workers at the frontlines during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted across Pakistan in June–July 2020. The study was approved by Ethical Committee, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi (IRB form no.905/Trg-ABP 1K2). A qualitative questionnaire was developed and was shared via different social networks. The questionnaire was closed when 241 responses were received. Statistical Analysis Descriptive analysis was performed on demographic data. Chi-squared analysis was performed between demographic data and PPE-usage patterns among participants with or without de novo headaches. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare variables with the development of new-onset headaches. Chi-squared test was also performed between demographic data and other factors that may be causing new-onset headaches. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 241 healthcare workers participated, of which 68 participants (28.2%) reported de novo headaches since the start of the pandemic. Incidence of pre-existing headaches (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–0.37; p = 0.049) was associated with new-onset headaches. Post hoc multivariable logistic regression analysis stated that incidence of pre-existing headaches (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 0.94–3.78; p = 0.75) and age (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 0.47–10.33; p = 0.36) was independently associated with new-onset PPE-induced headaches but was not statistically significant. Chi-squared analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between other factors (sleep deprivation, emotional stress, etc.) and department of activity, gender, and occupation (p < 0.05). Conclusion Healthcare workers with previous history of pre-existing headaches were found to be more susceptible to PPE-induced headaches during COVID-19 pandemic. However, age and the department where the healthcare workers performed may also be risk factors.

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