Factors associated with the use of personal protective equipment among Brazilian physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the factors associated with use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among Brazilian physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2020 with 1298 Brazilian physicians. The respondent driven sampling technique was used by sharing the survey through social media. Factors associated with the use of PPE while caring for COVID-19 patients were: being female (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.24-1.98; p ≤ 0.001); working in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 2.06-3.75; p ≤ 0.001); training (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.25-2.09; p ≤ 0.001); access to sufficient PPE (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.27-3.90; p = 0.0050), and PPE of good quality (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.16-2.92; p = 0.009). The following factors were associated with the use of recommended PPE during procedures that generate aerosols in the context of COVID-19: working in the ICU (ORA=2.73; 95% CI: 2.06-3.62; p < 0.01); working in a field hospital (AOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.06-1.79; p = 0.018;) training (AOR = 1.72 95% CI: 1.32-2.24; p < 0.01); access to sufficient PPE (AOR = 1.63; 95% CI: 0.91-2.92; p < 0.01), PPE of good quality (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.28-3.35; p = 0.003). The factors associated with the use of necessary PPE with COVID-19 patients and for procedures that generate aerosols were identified. Educational interventions for professionals and managers must be implemented to direct them towards protecting themselves and others.