MENTAL HEALTH, PROTECTIVE MEASURES, COVID-19: A STUDY ABOUT HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN BRAZIL

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers’ occupational stress increased due to the amount of medicine needed by patients. Aims: This research aims to evaluate the fear generated by the risk of contracting COVID-19 among health professionals working in the intensive care unit of a Brazilian philanthropic hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach. We collected data through questionnaires completed by a multi-professional team from an adult intensive care unit. The survey included questions on the professionals’ sociodemographic data and items from the adapted Information Related to the Health Unit and Patient Care questionnaire, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. In addition, participants were asked about use of personal protective equipment (PPE) post-vaccination. Results: In total, 108 employees responded. There was an association between the PHQ-9 and the FCV-19S in terms of those respondents do not felt prepared to face COVID-19 and had feelings of insecurity for themselves and their family members due to the pandemic. Besides that, there was an apparent discrepancy between the respondents’ answers and the hospital’s protocol about the reused PPE. Conclusion: This lack of alignment, about protocol and reused PPE, generates more health costs because public resources finance the hospital through the Unified Health System. The use of PPE must continue after vaccination. Restriction policies, such as presenting a vaccination card when entering closed places (which in practice is not happening in most cities in Brazil) and approaching individuals when not using PPE are essential for infection control.