Abstract
Wearing masks were effective in reducing the probability of infection with COVID-19, but wearing them for long time cause many problems. This paper was aimed to compare between Saudi and Egyptian HCWs upon using sanitizers and personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire, among Saudi HCWs (online) and Egyptian HCWs through paper questionnaire interview. The questionnaire consists of 23 questions about Socio-demographic, types of masks, gloves and sanitizers they used during their works. It includes the adverse skin reactions on hands and face upon using PPE for long periods during COVID 19 pandemic. Our results revealed that most of Saudi & Egyptian HCWs wearing surgical masks (57.8% & 63.6%), > N95 (12.9% &18.2%), using latex surgical gloves (44.9% & 56.8%), > plastic gloves (11.1% &18.2%) respectively. The most affected area from wearing PPE are hands (49.8% & 54.5%) followed by Auricular area (44% & 40.9%), nasal bridge (28.9% & 22.7%), check (16.9% & 13.6%), whole face (15.6% & 25%) among Saudi & Egyptian HCWs respectively. About 70% of Egyptian HCWs from our participants used alcohol 70% in form of gel as sanitizer which was significantly higher than Saudi HCWs (59.1%). While no significant differences were found from using other sanitizers such as liquid alcohol 70% or Dettol. The most adverse reaction due to using sanitizers was skin dryness (55.1% & 63.6%) among Saudi & Egyptian HCWs respectively. We can conclude that significant increase was found among HCWs in Egypt either in wearing surgical and N95 masks or in wearing surgical and plastic gloves when compared to Saudi HCWs. According to the side effects on hands and face due to wearing PPE among HCWs either from KSA or Egypt, there were some variations by increase or decrease in the percentages. The most adverse reaction due to using sanitizers (specially alcohol 70% in form of gel) was skin dryness.
Highlights
In December 2019, unexpected outbreak happened in Wuhan city,that later on had been known as COVID-19 by World health organization [1]
We can conclude that significant increase was found among health care workers (HCWs) in Egypt either in wearing surgical and N95 masks or in wearing surgical and plastic gloves when compared to Saudi HCWs
The questionnaire consists of 23 questions about Scio-demographic, types of masks, gloves and sanitizers that used by health care workers in the clinics, hospitals, and medical centers
Summary
In December 2019, unexpected outbreak happened in Wuhan city,that later on had been known as COVID-19 by World health organization [1]. The use of PPEs for long period may lead to increased risk of adverse skin reactions such as dryness, tenderness, itching, burning/pain and others [4,5,6]. During COVID-19 pandemic hand hygiene was one of the most essential preventive practice HCWS due to their frequent contact with patients, they were washing their hands more frequently with water and soap and using sanitizers [8]. As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, CDC recommends HCWs to use Alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain 60%-95% alcohol. The aim of this research is to compare between Saudi and Egyptian HCWs upon frequent usage of masks, gloves and sanitizers during COVID-19 pandemic and to clarify their adverse skin reactions
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