Cross-sectional study of personal protective equipment use, training and biosafety preparedness among healthcare workers during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Brazil has high rates of COVID-19 and tuberculosis among healthcare workers (HCWs). Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for their protection. We aimed to evaluate PPE use, training, and preparedness among HCWs in the early months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed using questionnaires available to HCWs through a website created to provide PPE guidelines. χ² test and robust Poisson regression identified factors associated with HCWs treating COVID-19 patients (TCOVID-19), lack of training on PPE use and N95 respirator reuse. The speech content of open-ended questions was analysed.

Results

We analysed 1410 questionnaires collected from April to July 2020 representing 526 Brazilian cities.

SUBMITTER: Muner K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11812835 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature