Challenges faced by pediatric nursing workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fernanda Garcia Bezerra Góes,Laura Johanson Da Silva,Liliane Faria Da Silva,Maithê De Carvalho E Lemos Goulart,Aline Cerqueira Santos Santana Da Silva,Andressa Silva Torres Dos Santos,Fernanda Maria Vieira Pereira-Ávila

doi:10.1590/1518-8345.4550.3367

Fernanda Garcia Bezerra Góes, Laura Johanson Da Silva + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4550.3367

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Abstract

Objective to identify the challenges pediatric nursing workers face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.Method qualitative study, using a semi-structured electronic form applied to nursing workers from pediatric services in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were submitted to lexicographic analysis using the Interface de R pour Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires, Word Cloud technique, and Similitude Analysis.Results different challenges concerning the COVID-19 pandemic were reported, including the need to promote comprehensive and quality care while being concerned with protecting oneself and others, with an emphasis on fear. A lack of protective equipment, training, diagnostic tests, and knowledge/information concerning the disease was also reported, in addition to a reduced number of nursing workers and a lack of appreciation for the profession.Conclusion managerial guidelines need to be adopted for properly allocating human and material resources in the health field, including the pediatric services, in addition to providing training on standard precautions. Actions to encourage, value, motivate, and support the nursing staff are needed during and after the pandemic to protect the physical and mental health of these professionals.

Highlights

Objective: to identify the challenges pediatric nursing workers face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is an important public health crisis currently threatening humanity
Most participants worked in public hospitals (73.1%) located in the cities of Rio de Janeiro (65.3%), Niterói (19.2%), Duque de Caxias (7.7%), Rio das Ostras (3.8%), and São José do Vale do Rio Preto (3.8%) in the following wards: Pediatric Wards (57.7%), Pediatric Intensive Care Units (34.6%), Child Emergency (3.8%), and Pediatric Hematology (3.8%)

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is an important public health crisis currently threatening humanity. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported more than 4,307,000 cases and 295,000 deaths worldwide up to mid-March 2020, and these numbers keep rising[1]. Up to the same period, Brazil recorded more than 202,000 cases with a lethality rate of 6.9%, ranking 6th in the world in terms of the number of deaths[2], higher than all developing nations. Children are not spared in this pandemic context. Though the elimination of the virus through respiratory secretion and feces seems to last longer than in adults, which may contribute to the spread of COVID-19(4-5)

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