scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Self-Reported Performance and Challenges of Hand Hygiene Using Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Among Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 303-313
Author(s):  
Desta Assefa ◽  
Tsegaye Melaku ◽  
Bodena Bayisa ◽  
Sintayehu Alemu
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Utilization of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers and Associated Health Risks among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desta Assefa ◽  
Tadesse Gudeta
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Skin Irritation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Skin Damage ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hand Sanitizer

Abstract Background Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a crucial and widely used product to prevent the spreading of corona-virus disease (COVID-19). However, frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer mainly at the point-of-care can cause health risks and shortages in and outside the healthcare facilities. Objective The present study was designed to assess the utilization of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and the incidence of associated health risks among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia, between April 01 and June 27, 2020. The collected data were analyzed and described using descriptive statistical tests with SPSS version 21. Results Ninety-six healthcare workers with 28.69 ± 4.048 years of mean age participated in the study. 95.8% of them used alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent COVID-19 virus transmission in the healthcare setting and community. But they encountered challenges to practice hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The common problems were alcohol-based hand sanitizers unavailability 66(68.8%), costly 50(52.1%), and skin damage 8(8.3%). Most of them experienced health risks such as skin dryness 60(62.5%), skin irritation 27(28.1%), ocular irritation 11(11.5%), cough 11(11.5%), and others. These health risks caused that 9(9.4%) of them do not practice hand hygiene by alcohol-based hand sanitizers (p-value = 0.999). Conclusion To stay safe from COVID-19, healthcare workers faced different challenges, such as access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers and reported health risks. Therefore, the regulatory and public health bodies should promote local production of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with careful follow-up, and its health risks management plan should gain attention.

scholarly journals SUBSTANCE USE AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Omole VN ◽  
◽  
Irohibe CK ◽  
Usman NO ◽  
Audu O ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Western World ◽  
Significant Determinant ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Research studies abound on substance use among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the western world, but a paucity of such information is the case in developing countries. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of substance use among HCWs in a Nigerian tertiary hospital and the variety of substances commonly used. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 HCWs selected across 4 professional cadres by stratified random sampling method. Results: About 85.5% of the respondents were past and/or current users of substances or substance-containing food items. Out of the 325 respondents who had ever used substances before, 208 (64%) were current users- these represented 54.7% of the whole. Coffee, alcohol and kolanuts were most frequently used. Diazepam was the least used. Gender was a statistically significant determinant of substance use (p<0.05). Conclusion: Substance use among HCWs carries grave implications for practitioners and patients alike. Further research towards unearthing and addressing the factors fueling this menace in developing countries will contribute immensely in resolving this challenge.

scholarly journals Are Mobile Phones part of the chain of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the hospital?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Patricia Sánchez Espinoza ◽  
Marina Cortes Farrel ◽  
Saidy Vasconez Nogueira ◽  
Anderson Vicente de Paula ◽  
Thais Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospital Policies ◽  
Cross Transmission ◽  
Educational Campaign

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 cross-transmission has become an concern in hospitals. We investigate healthcare workers(HCWs) knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 cross-transmission and conceptions whether the virus can remain on HCWs mobile phones(MPs) and be part of the chain of transmission.A cross-sectional study was conducted at a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of a teaching-hospital. Fifty-one MPs were swabbed and a questionnaire about hand hygiene and MP use and disinfection was applied after an educational campaign. Although most of HCWs believed on the importance of cross-transmission and increased hand hygiene adhesion and MP disinfection during the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in two MPs(culture of the samples was negative).Implementation of official hospital policies to guide HCWs regarding disinfection and care of personal MP are needed.

Psychosocial Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.

Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in an Occupationally Radiation Exposed Group: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital of Southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Vimercati ◽  
Luigi De Maria ◽  
Francesca Mansi ◽  
Antonio Caputi ◽  
Giovanni M. Ferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Thyroid Diseases ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exposed Workers

Background: Thyroid diseases occur more frequently in people exposed to ionizing radiation, but the relationship between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and thyroid pathologies still remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in healthcare workers exposed to low-level ionizing radiation compared with a control group working at the University Hospital of Bari, Southern Italy, and living in the same geographical area, characterized by mild iodine deficiency. Methods: We ran a cross-sectional study to investigate whether healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a higher prevalence of thyroid diseases. Four hundred and forty-four exposed healthcare workers (241 more exposed, or “A Category”, and 203 less exposed, or “B Category”) and 614 nonexposed healthcare workers were enrolled during a routine examination at the Occupational Health Unit. They were asked to fill in an anamnestic questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, serum determination of fT3, fT4 and TSH, anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab and ultrasound neck scan. Thyroid nodules were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated. Results: The prevalence of thyroid diseases was statistically higher in the exposed workers compared to controls (40% vs 29%, adPR 1.65; IC95% 1.34-2.07). In particular, the thyroid nodularity prevalence in the exposed group was approximately twice as high as that in the controls (29% vs 13%; adPR 2.83; IC95% 2.12-3.8). No statistically significant association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and other thyroid diseases. Conclusion: In our study, mild ionizing radiation-exposed healthcare workers had a statistically higher prevalence of thyroid diseases than the control group. The results are likely due to a closer and more meticulous health surveillance programme carried out in the ionising radiation-exposed workers, allowing them to identify thyroid alterations earlier than non-exposed health staff.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and asymptomatic viral carriage in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 1089-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Shields ◽  
Sian E Faustini ◽  
Marisol Perez-Toledo ◽  
Sian Jossi ◽  
Erin Aldera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Internal ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo determine the rates of asymptomatic viral carriage and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers.DesignA cross-sectional study of asymptomatic healthcare workers undertaken on 24/25 April 2020.SettingUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT), UK.Participants545 asymptomatic healthcare workers were recruited while at work. Participants were invited to participate via the UHBFT social media. Exclusion criteria included current symptoms consistent with COVID-19. No potential participants were excluded.InterventionParticipants volunteered a nasopharyngeal swab and a venous blood sample that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antibodies, respectively. Results were interpreted in the context of prior illnesses and the hospital departments in which participants worked.Main outcome measureProportion of participants demonstrating infection and positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.ResultsThe point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 viral carriage was 2.4% (n=13/545). The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 24.4% (n=126/516). Participants who reported prior symptomatic illness had higher seroprevalence (37.5% vs 17.1%, χ2=21.1034, p<0.0001) and quantitatively greater antibody responses than those who had remained asymptomatic. Seroprevalence was greatest among those working in housekeeping (34.5%), acute medicine (33.3%) and general internal medicine (30.3%), with lower rates observed in participants working in intensive care (14.8%). BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) ethnicity was associated with a significantly increased risk of seropositivity (OR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.23, p=0.01). Working on the intensive care unit was associated with a significantly lower risk of seropositivity compared with working in other areas of the hospital (OR: 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.78, p=0.02).Conclusions and relevanceWe identify differences in the occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 between hospital departments and confirm asymptomatic seroconversion occurs in healthcare workers. Further investigation of these observations is required to inform future infection control and occupational health practices.

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