Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak represents a global public health emergency. National governments have gradually introduced restrictive measures. Using respiratory protective equipment (face masks) and gloves was essential practice without specific infection control measures or guidelines. This study aimed to assess hygiene indicators when using gloves by transport workers in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop integral indicators and recommendations for wearing gloves for workers for whom this is a mandatory requirement. For this purpose, 1103 transport workers were surveyed using a questionnaire. We investigated the hygiene aspects of gloves and evaluated the bacterial contamination of the contact side of the gloves based on the wash results. We assessed the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, the duration of the work shift, the frequency of use of types of gloves, skin manifestations, the degree of comfort, and bacterial growth. We carried out the ranking according to comfort, the absence of adverse dermatological reactions when wearing gloves, and bacterial contamination of the inner surface of the gloves. It has been identified that it is necessary to use a comprehensive assessment of gloves to create a register of protective equipment, taking into account the frequency with which it was worn, the severity of the skin condition, comfort, and bacterial contamination.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of restrictive measures worldwide
The analysis showed that the most frequent and pronounced strong reactions to wearing gloves among the respondents were: sweating of the hands, which was observed in 57.49% of the respondents (χ2 = 116.401; p < 0.001), while redness, peeling, and irritation of the skin was noted by only 25.34% (χ2 = 56.630; p < 0.001); least of all, respondents reported such reactions to wearing gloves as pimples, rash, inflammation, and cracks
The revealed hygienic indicators of gloves used during the COVID-19 pandemic by employees employed at transport facilities in Russia made it possible to identify the main components for formulating an integral indicator
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of restrictive measures worldwide. In the absence of controlling infection-specific methods, priority was given to the requirements for the mandatory use of nonspecific protective equipment, including the use of personal protective equipment for the respiratory organs (face masks) and hands (gloves) [1].It should be noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have recommendations for wearing gloves in public places for non-medical professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of restrictive measures worldwide. In the absence of controlling infection-specific methods, priority was given to the requirements for the mandatory use of nonspecific protective equipment, including the use of personal protective equipment for the respiratory organs (face masks) and hands (gloves) [1]. It should be noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have recommendations for wearing gloves in public places for non-medical professionals.
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