Profile of Nursing professionals during the new Coronavirus Pandemic in a southwest Pará municipality

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of healthcare professionals, who are now known as “frontline professionals”, who provide direct or indirect support to suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients. Therefore, this research aimed to identify the nursing professionals profile who work in Basic Health Units and in the Municipal Hospital during the pandemic in the municipality of Itaituba/Pará. This descriptive and exploratory study used a quantitative approach and included 109 professionals, comprising 49 nurses and 60 nursing technicians. The age ranged from 20 to 62 years old, with an average of 36.92 years old. The majority of participants were female (82.6%), identified as mixed-race (85.3%), and were single (44%). The most common level of education was specialization (39.4%), followed by complete high school (26.7%). Regarding monthly income, 33.9% earn up to two minimum wages, while 24.9% earn up to one minimum wage. Approximately 42.2% had a history of illness, with rhinitis being the most prevalent, followed by obesity and hypertension. Anxiety treatment was mentioned by 10.1%, and depression by 3.7% of professionals. Most part do not engage in physical activity (55%), are non-smokers (98.2%), and none are drug users. As for religion, most participants reported having a religious affiliation (88.1%), with Catholicism being the most common, followed by Evangelism. Understanding the profile of healthcare professionals working in the fight against the pandemic is essential to develop health promotion interventions to support them.