Difficulties Faced by the Healthcare Workers Wearing Personal Protective Equipments in COVID-19 Pandemic during Summers of Mumbai City

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic poses a massive challenge for the healthcare system and overburdens the Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in a developing country like India. The coronavirus may survive on various surfaces and/or aerosols for hours to days, making it a necessity to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while treating infected patients. Wearing the PPE is often uncomfortable while working, more so in the summer season, when the temperatures in a tropical country like India are soaring. Aim: To identify, quantify and highlight the difficulties faced by the HCWs while wearing PPEs. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2020, by a team of researchers working in a government owned designated Coronavirus Disease- 2019 (COVID-19) hospital in metropolitan city, West India. The questionnaire was prepared for a multicentre survey for 230 HCWs who had used PPE kits during their COVID-19 duties. The online questionnaire responses were recorded in an Microsoft Excel sheet and the results were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 19.0. Results: Total 230 responses were received out of which 74% were doctors, 21.7% nurses and 4.3% paramedical staff. The mean duration of work was 6.24 hours and per duty one, PPE was used by almost all of the respondents. The most common difficulty faced by the responders while on duty was excessive sweating (96%/n-221), itching of the nose (56%/n-129) and face (50.9%/n-117). While after the duty 61.7% of respondents reported being dehydrated and 68.2% complained of de novo headache. In a subset with a history of migraine, almost all reported worsening of migraine with increased frequency and severity of attacks. Many (40%) reported occasionally lowering the masks or face shield due to unbearable heat, risking self- contamination. Conclusion: The PPEs in current use and in the hot and humid conditions of summer months in tropical countries poses a unique challenge for the HCWs. Customisation of PPEs and working conditions is essential in the mitigation of the problems faced by the HCWs.

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Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives on the Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in Terms of Their Exposure to the Influenza Vaccine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9050465 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 465

Author(s):

Leena R. Baghdadi ◽

Shatha G. Alghaihb ◽

Alanoud A. Abuhaimed ◽

Dania M. Alkelabi ◽

Rawan S. Alqahtani

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Work Experience ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽

History Of

In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)) caused a global pandemic. There was an urgent need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 to reduce its spread and economic burden. The main objective of this study was to understand the attitudes and concerns of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, whether their decision was influenced by their history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine, and factors that influence the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We selected and surveyed 356 HCWs via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. A total of 61.16% of HCWs were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and 55.9% of them had received the seasonal influenza vaccine in the preceding year (2019–2020). The strongest predictors for taking the COVID-19 vaccine were the HCWs’ belief that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe, needed even for healthy people, that all HCWs should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that HCWs will have time to take the vaccine. Being female, being middle aged, having <5 years of work experience, having no fear of injections, and being a non-smoker were predictive factors for taking the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. No associations were found between the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and a history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Related to COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-770359/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amina M. Al Marzouqi ◽

Michael E. Otim ◽

Heba H. Hijazi ◽

Leena S. Kehail ◽

Ramsha A. Kamal

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Objectives: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global health pandemic that continues to have an impact on many aspects of everyday life. This study investigates the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This study uses a cross-sectional study design. The original data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed via a Google Forms link. Participants were healthcare workers currently working in the UAE healthcare facilities and recruited using snowball sampling. The questionnaire collected information on demographic variables and COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practice.Results: In total, the sample of 107 healthcare workers completed the survey. About 92% of the participants worked in public institutions, 87% were from Dubai, and 673% were female. The majority were aged 31–40 years (34.6%), and 43% were radiographers. 66.4% held bachelor’s degrees and Indian nationalities were (28%) and the Philippinos were (28%). Most (90.7%) participants knew the absence of fever did not mean that the virus could not transmit from an infected person, and 84.1% agreed that wearing general medical masks prevented one from contracting COVID-19. However, only 36.4% strongly believed that wearing a well-fitting face mask was effective. In addition, only 15.9% reported confidently managing patients with symptoms of COVID-19, and 54.2% reported that they were afraid of contracting the virus from patients. Almost half of the participants avoided patients who had symptoms of COVID-19. Conclusion: Overall, healthcare workers’ COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices for healthcare workers in UAE healthcare facilities was very high. However, we found gaps in awareness regarding the spread of the pandemic. Our study recommends that providing healthcare workers with education programs and counseling services would help increase their confidence in treating patients with COVID-19.

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Healthcare Workers Preparedness for COVID-19 Pandemic in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: A Cross-sectional Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-112643/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Osaid Alser ◽

Heba Alghoul ◽

Zahra Alkhateeb ◽

Ayah Hamdan ◽

Loai Albarqouni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Gaza Strip ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Occupied Palestinian Territory ◽

Governmental Institutions ◽

Palestinian Territory

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic threatens to overwhelm the capacity of a vulnerable healthcare system in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Sufficient training of healthcare workers (HCWs) in managing COVID-19 and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential in allowing oPt to mount a credible response to the crisis.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire between March 30, 2020 and April 12, 2020. Primary outcomes were availability of PPE and HCWs preparedness in oPt for COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary outcome was regional and hospital differences in oPt in terms of availability of PPE and HCWs preparedness.Results: Of 138 respondents, only 38 HCWs (27.5%) always had access to facemasks and 15 (10.9%) for isolation gowns. Most HCWs did not find eye protection (n=128, 92.8%), N95 respirators (n=132, 95.7%), and face shields (n=127, 92%) always available. Compared to HCWs in West Bank, those in the Gaza Strip were significantly less likely to have access to alcohol sanitizers (p=0.03) and gloves (p <0.001). On average, governmental hospitals were significantly less likely to have all appropriate PPE than non-governmental institutions (p = 0.001). Only 16 (11.6%) surveyed felt confident in dealing with a potential COVID-19 case, 57 (41.3%) having received any COVID-19-related training, and 57 (41.3%) not having a local hospital protocol. Conclusion: HCWs in oPt are underprepared and severely lacking adequate PPE provision. The lack of PPE provision will exacerbate spread of COVID-19 and deepen the crisis, whilst putting HCWs at risk.

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Burnout among Portuguese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09980-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ivone Duarte ◽

Andreia Teixeira ◽

Luísa Castro ◽

Sílvia Marina ◽

Carla Ribeiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Professional Organizations ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infected People ◽

Work Related ◽

High Workload

Abstract Background During COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have had high workload and have been exposed to multiple psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to evaluate HCWs in terms of the relative contributions of socio-demographic and mental health variables on three burnout dimensions: personal, work-related, and client-related burnout. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire spread via social networks. A snowball technique supported by health care institutions and professional organizations was applied. Results A total of 2008 subjects completed the survey. Gender, parental status, marriage status, and salary reduction were found to be significant factors for personal burnout. Health problems and direct contact with infected people were significantly associated with more susceptibility to high personal and work-related burnout. Frontline working positions were associated with all three dimensions. Higher levels of stress and depression in HCWs were significantly associated with increased levels of all burnout dimensions. Higher levels of satisfaction with life and resilience were significantly associated with lower levels of all burnout dimensions. Conclusions All three burnout dimensions were associated with a specific set of covariates. Consideration of these three dimensions is important when designing future burnout prevention programs for HCWs.

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Knowledge, perceptions and practices of healthcare workers regarding the use of respiratory protection equipment at Iran hospitals

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/1757177417724880 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 29-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marzieh Honarbakhsh ◽

Mehdi Jahangiri ◽

Haleh Ghaem

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Respiratory Protection ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Job Experience ◽

History Of ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Spss Software ◽

Knowledge And Practice

Background: Using appropriate respiratory protection equipment (RPE) is very important to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) against respiratory hazards. The aim of this study was to identify the level of knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs on using RPE. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 284 employees of educational hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The study’s instrument was a self-made questionnaire that comprised four components: demographic inquiries and questions designed to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practice of HCWs regarding RPE. Collected data were analysed using SPSS software version 21. Results: Average scores of knowledge, perceptions and practice of HCWs on using RPE were 66.50% ± 11.93%, 80.32% ± 10.05% and 70.12% ± 20.51%, respectively. A significant association was observed between knowledge and age, job experience, history of using respirator, marital status and risk of respiratory hazards in the workplace and perceptions with age and education and practice with education. Conclusion: Studied HCWs had positive perceptions and moderate level of knowledge and practice about the use of RPE. Full implementation of respiratory protection program in the hospitals would be helpful to improve the knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs regarding RPE.

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Prevalence of positive TST among Healthcare workers in high-burden TB setting in Peru

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15609/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juana Sedamano ◽

Alvaro Schwalb ◽

Rodrigo Cachay ◽

Carlos Zamudio ◽

Cesar Ugarte-Gil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Positive Tuberculin Skin Test ◽

Control Measures ◽

Occupational Hazard ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Burden ◽

History Of ◽

The Individual ◽

Prevalence Ratios

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has long been recognized as an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs possess a 5.8% annual risk of exposure and three times greater risk of developing active TB than the general population.Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between September 2014 and March 2015 among HCWs in a high-burden TB setting in Lima to estimate the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and to investigate factors associated with a positive TST.Results: 240 participants were included in the analysis; TST was administered to 190 (79.2%) while the rest were exempt due to a previous positive TST result, history of TB or refused the test. A positive TST result was found among 56.2% of participants who were applied the TST (95% CI: 49.22% - 63.55%). When considering those who had a previous positive TST result and those with a history of TB, the prevalence was 64.3% (95% CI: 57.8% - 70.3%). No significant differences were observed between clinical/paramedical and administrative staff in the health center. The use of N95 mask during work hours was reported by 142 (69.9%) participants. Prevalence ratios (PR) show that workers with more than 120 months as a HCW were 1.44 times more likely to be TST positive. The multivariate analysis found that HCWs with over 10 years of service were 1.52 times more likely to be TST positive.Conclusion: This study supports previous reports that TB infection is an occupational hazard for HCWs. Prevention of TB transmission through control measures, as well as timely diagnosis of LTBI in this selected risk group, is critical for the individual and for public health.

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Prevalence of positive TST among Healthcare workers in a high-burden TB setting in Peru

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15609/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juana Sedamano ◽

Alvaro Schwalb ◽

Rodrigo Cachay ◽

Carlos Zamudio ◽

Cesar Ugarte-Gil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Positive Tuberculin Skin Test ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Control Measures ◽

Occupational Hazard ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Burden ◽

History Of ◽

Prevalence Ratios

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has long been recognized as an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs have a 5.8% annual risk of exposure and three times greater risk of developing active TB than the general population.Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between September 2014 and March 2015 among HCWs in a high-burden TB setting in Lima to estimate the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and to investigate factors associated with a positive TST.Results: 240 participants were included in the analysis; TST was administered to 190 (79.2%) while the rest were exempt due to a previous positive TST result, history of TB, or test refusal. A positive TST result was found among 56.2% of participants to whom the TST was applied (95% CI: 49.22% - 63.55%). When considering those who had a previous positive TST result and those with a history of TB, the prevalence of a positive TST result was 64.3% (95% CI: 57.8% - 70.3%). No significant differences were observed between clinical/paramedical and administrative staff in the health center. The use of N95 masks during work hours was reported by 142 (69.9%) participants. Prevalence ratios (PR) show that workers with more than 120 months as a HCW were 1.44 times more likely to be TST positive. The multivariate analysis found that HCWs with over 10 years of service were 1.52 times more likely to be TST positive.Conclusion: This study supports previous reports that TB infection is an occupational hazard for HCWs. Prevention of TB transmission through control measures, as well as timely diagnosis of LTBI in this particular high-risk group, is critical for individual and public health.

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Mask-associated de novo headache in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

10.1101/2020.08.07.20167957 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jose M Ramirez-Moreno ◽

David Ceberino ◽

Alberto Gonzalez ◽

Belen Rebollo ◽

Pablo Macias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Social Impact ◽

De Novo ◽

Health Workers ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Introduction: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to changes in the development of health care activities by health professionals. We analysed whether there is an association between the appearance of de novo headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors, as well as the impact of the headache on health professionals. Method: cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain. We administered an online questionnaire to healthcare workers during the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19 in our setting. Results: n=306, 244 women (79.7%), with an average age of 43 years (range 23-65). Of the total, 129 (42.2%) were physicians, 112 (36.6%) nurses and 65 (21.2%) other health workers. 208 (79.7%) used surgical masks and 53 (20.3%) used filtering masks. Of all those surveyed, 158 (51.6%) presented de novo headache. The occurrence of headache was independently associated with the use of a filtering mask, OR 2.14 (IC95% 1.07-4.32), being a nurse OR 2.09 (IC95% 1.18-3.72) or another health worker OR 6.94 (IC95% 3.01-16.04) or having a history of asthma OR 0.29 (IC95% 0.09-0.89). Depending on the type of mask used there were differences in headache intensity. And the impact of headache in the subjects who used a filtering mask was worse in the all aspects evaluated. Conclusions: The appearance of de novo headache is associated with the use of filtering masks and is more frequent in certain health care workers, causing a greater occupational, family, personal and social impact.

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Prevalence of positive TST among Healthcare workers in a high-burden TB setting in Peru

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15609/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juana Sedamano ◽

Alvaro Schwalb ◽

Rodrigo Cachay ◽

Carlos Zamudio ◽

Cesar Ugarte-Gil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Positive Tuberculin Skin Test ◽

Control Measures ◽

Occupational Hazard ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Burden ◽

History Of ◽

The Individual ◽

Prevalence Ratios

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has long been recognized as an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs possess a 5.8% annual risk of exposure and three times greater risk of developing active TB than the general population.Methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between September 2014 and March 2015 among HCWs in a high-burden TB setting in Lima to estimate the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and to investigate factors associated with a positive TST.Results 240 participants were included in the analysis; TST was administered to 190 (79.2%) while the rest were exempted due to a previous positive TST result, history of TB or refused the test. A positive TST result was found among 56.2% of participants (95% CI: 49.22% - 63.55%). When considering those who had a previous positive TST result and those with a history of TB, the prevalence of a positive TST was 64.3% (95% CI: 57.8% - 70.3%). No significant differences of TST results were observed between clinical/paramedical and administrative staff in the health center. The use of N95 mask during work hours was reported by 142 (69.9%) participants. Prevalence ratios (PR) show that workers with more than 120 months as a HCW were 1.44 times more likely to be TST positive. The multivariate analysis found that HCWs with over 10 years of service were 1.62 times more likely to be TST positive.Conclusion This study supports previous reports that TB infection is an occupational hazard for HCWs. Prevention of TB transmission through control measures, as well as timely diagnosis of LTBI in this selected risk group, is critical for the individual and for public health.

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Attitude and Behaviors towards SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Poland

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9030218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 218

Author(s):

Bartosz Szmyd ◽

Filip Franciszek Karuga ◽

Adrian Bartoszek ◽

Katarzyna Staniecka ◽

Natalia Siwecka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Main Concern ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Occupational Activities ◽

History Of ◽

And Behavior

Healthcare workers are particularly exposed to biological risk during their daily occupational activities. Nowadays, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become one of the most widespread infectious agents. In the current study, we performed a survey on the attitude and behavior of Polish healthcare workers (HCW), which comprise physicians (MD) and administrative healthcare assistants (HA) towards the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Our study involved 2300 subjects (42.17% female; 10.96% MD; 5.87% HA). The evaluation was conducted using a Google Forms survey based on original questions and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items questionnaire. HCW significantly more often demonstrated their willingness to get vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 as compared to the control group (82.95% vs. 54.31%, respectively). The main concern, as regards all groups, was the development of long-term side effects after getting COVID-19 vaccine. The study revealed that depression significantly affects the willingness to get vaccinated. The readiness was significantly strengthened by positive medical history of recommended vaccinations, fear of catching COVID-19, as well as fear of passing on the disease to the relatives. Overall, the percentage of HCW, who want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 remains unsatisfactory. Further works exploring this subject are needed to take a step closer to achieving the herd immunity in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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