The Relationship Between Personal Protection Behaviors and Fear Levels of Healthcare Professionals Who Had Covid-19 Vaccine

Abstract

Background. It is known that the use of personal protective equipment is effective in preventing the spread of covid19. The purpose of this study is to reveal the relationship between personal protection behaviors and fear levels of healthcare professionals who get Covid-19 vaccine.
 Material and methods. This descriptive and relationship-seeker study was carried out between February and April 2021 using an online questionnaire method with 155 healthcare professionals who were actively involved in the Covid-19 pandemic process in a hospital in Istanbul. The data were obtained using the "Participant Information Form" consisting of 19 items and the "Covid-19 Fear Scale". 
 Results. The average score obtained from the Covid-19 Fear Scale was medium (X̄ = 2.54 ± 0.89). A positive significant relationship was found between the fear of Covid-19 and the use of gloves, masks, and disposable gowns before vaccination by the healthcare professionals participating in the study. After vaccination, there is a positive and significant relationship between the use of gloves and surgical masks and the fear of Covid-19. 
 Conclusions. According to the results of the study, female participants and participants who express their economic situation as moderate have a higher level of fear about Covid-19, and that vaccination affects the use of masks and disposable gowns by reducing the fear of Covid-19. Failure of healthcare workers to pay attention to the use of personal protective behivors after vaccination may increase the spread of variants such as omicron.