Perceptions Of Health Workers Research Articles

Оценка работы медицинской организации в условиях пандемии COVID-19: результаты кросс-секционного опроса медицинских работников

As you know, both healthcare workers who have direct contact with COVID-19 patients and those whose contact with such patients is not recorded are at risk. Differences were found in the subjective assessments of their work in a pandemic among these groups of health workers. Objective. To analyze the perception of health workers of their security in the workplace and their assessment of the organization of the labor process healthcare facilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods. For the solution, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among healthcare workers. The analytical cohort consisted of 269 survey participants. Results and discussion. A higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a lack of personal protective equipment were felt by doctors who were in direct contact with patients with COVID-19. The presence of a medical worker outside the medical organization changes their attitude toward precautionary measures. In general, respondents gave a positive subjective assessment of the preventive measures taken and the preparedness of their healthcare facilities for the pandemic. Research in this area will help understand the psychological impact of the threat of SARS-CoV-2 infection, provide healthcare workers with safe and optimal working conditions, and prevent overburdening the healthcare system in general and otorhinolaryngology care in particular.

Оценка эмоционального состояния медицинского персонала и изменений поведения под влиянием пандемии COVID-19: результаты кросс-секционного опроса медицинских работников

The aim of the study is to analyze the perception of health workers of their security in the workplace and their assessment of the organization of the labor process healthcare facilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: For the solution, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among healthcare workers. The study included 269 people and was analyzed in the R software environment. Results and discussion: It is known that healthcare workers are at risk which are still in direct contact with COVID-19 patients, as well as those whose contact with such patients is not recorded. Differences in subjective assessments of the impact of the pandemic among these groups of health care workers were found. Overall, 84.8% of respondents expressed concern about the COVID-19 pandemic, with 3 times the likelihood of concern in the contact group. The most frequent cause of concern was isolation from family and social environment 76.2%, while the risk of actually infecting oneself or family members worried respondents 2 times less frequently. There is no statistical reason to believe that respondents were more likely to limit social contacts (53.2%) because they considered their work environment «dangerous. Even fewer health care workers tried to isolate themselves from their relatives and friends (37.9%). If such measures were taken, they were statistically more likely to be taken by health care workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. The majority of participants rated above-average availability of avoidance of work duties. 5% of respondents indicated that they tried to take time off to avoid going to work because of COVID-19 concerns. Research in this area will help expand the provision of information about the psychological impact of the threat of SARS-CoV-2 infection to health care workers in general, and otorhinolaryngology care in particular.

Demographic Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: The Mediation Role of Organisational Justice Perceptions in Public and Private Sector Health Organisations in Nigeria

The health sector is of critical importance to the wellbeing of the labour force, dependent demographic structure and life expectancy for economic development. Effective and efficient health care delivery is of a prime focus among stakeholders in the health sector in Nigeria. The current status of the health sector is fraught with industrial unrest and picketing following the failure of the government to meet the expectation of workers. Employee work-related attitude of job satisfaction, distributive, procedural and interactional justice perceptions of health workers in part play a key role to attaining quality health care. However, a large number of factors are responsible for job satisfaction of health professionals. In this paper, the nexus between demographics and job satisfaction is examined as well as the mediating role of organisational justice perceptions of workers in public and private healthcare institutions in Nigeria. Demographics of age, gender, education, job experience were considered with respect to overall job satisfaction and organisational justice. The study is grounded in the equity theoretical foundation of Adams in 1965. An analytical descriptive survey design was adopted in this study. A sample of 300 employees from private (150 workers) and public (150 workers) health care institutions were selected for the study through the use of a stratified random sampling procedure. The data were collected from self-report of workers via the administration of a structured questionnaire to employees. The numeric scores were determined from the summated scales of job satisfaction and organisational justice. The data were analysed with multivariate regression and structural equation modelling. From the analysed data, the study found that gender and job tenure were significant predictors of distributive justice, procedural justice and extrinsic job satisfaction while organisational justice had a significant effect on job satisfaction. In terms of the indirect effects, organisational justice mediated the relationships between gender, job tenure and overall job satisfaction. Consistent with the findings of the study, all health professionals should be treated on the basis of fairness without discrimination irrespective of status and professional dichotomy. Accordingly, the study recommended that the health care workforce who play managerial roles should ensure fairness and consider job tenure and gender in the formulation of policy frameworks for the overall job satisfaction of employees.

Perceptions of Community Health Workers during Two Concurrent National Health Crises: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19

The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of community health workers (CHWs), post opioid use disorder training, including the impact of the intervening COVID-19 pandemic, on service delivery and communication. Semi-structured interviews with 10 CHWs were conducted. Categories from the interviews focused on the loss of connections with their clients and how the COVID-19 pandemic caused the CHWs to experience significant interruptions in both their professional and personal lives. The COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic changes in how CHWs operate within the communities they serve and limiting the interpersonal relationships that are vital to their profession.

Perception of Health Workers Facing the Multiprofessional Residence

Perception of Health Workers Facing the Multiprofessional Residence

A snapshot of the practicality and barriers to COVID-19 interventions: Public health and healthcare workers' perceptions in high and low- and middle-income countries.

BackgroundIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have implemented a range of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and pharmaceutical interventions (PIs) to reduce transmission and minimise morbidity and mortality, whilst maintaining social and economic activities. The perceptions of public health workers (PHWs) and healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential to inform future COVID-19 strategies as they are viewed as trusted sources and are at the forefront of COVID-19 response. The objectives of this study were to 1) describe the practicality of implementing NPIs and PIs and 2) identify potential barriers to implementation, as perceived by HCWs and PHWs.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of PHWs and HCWs perceptions of the implementation, practicality of, and barriers to implementation of NPIs and PIs using an online survey (28/9/2020-1/11/2020) available in English, French and Portuguese. We used descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to analyse quantitative and qualitative responses.ResultsIn total, 226 respondents (67 HCWs and 159 PHWs) from 52 countries completed the survey and 222 were included in the final analysis. Participants from low and middle-income countries (LMICs) accounted for 63% of HCWs and 67% of PHWs, with the remaining from high-income (HICs). There was little difference between the perceptions of PHWs and HCWs in HICs and LMICs, with the majority regarding a number of common NPIs as difficult to implement. However, PHWs in HICs perceived restrictions on schools and educational institutions to be more difficult to implement, with a lack of childcare support identified as the main barrier. Additionally, most contact tracing methods were perceived to be more difficult to implement in HICs than LMICs, with a range of barriers reported. A lack of public support was the most commonly reported barrier to NPIs overall across both country income and professional groups. Similarly, public fear of vaccine safety and lack of vaccine supply were the main reported barriers to implementing a COVID-19 vaccine. However, PHWs and HCWs in LMICs perceived a lack of financial support and the vaccine being manufactured in another country as additional barriers.ConclusionThis snapshot provides insight into the difficulty of implementing interventions as perceived by PHWs and HCWs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to implementing interventions, and barriers in different contexts do vary. Barriers to implementing a vaccine programme expressed here by HCWs and PHCWs have subsequently come to the fore internationally.

Perceptions of Adolescents and Health Workers Towards Adolescents' TB Diagnosis in Central Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study.

PurposePrompt diagnosis of TB among adolescents may reduce transmission and improve individual outcomes. However, TB diagnosis in adolescents is challenging. This study sought to understand challenges to adolescent TB diagnosis.MethodsWe conducted qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore adolescents’ and health workers’ perspectives on challenges to TB diagnosis among adolescents seeking care at four secondary health care facilities in Uganda. Eight FGDs were conducted: four with 32 adolescents consulting for medical care and four with 34 health workers involved in TB care.ResultsAdolescents were aware of TB and associated risk factors and believed behaviours like smoking and alcohol use are risk factors for TB. They reported school schedules limit them from seeking TB care and have to miss school or wait for holidays to seek TB diagnosis. They noted school nurses do not take much interest in diagnosing TB and do not refer them to hospitals for further evaluation when they present with TB symptoms. Furthermore, adolescents reported cross-cutting issues like loss of trust in public health systems, encountering unfriendly, judgmental and uncooperative health workers. Health workers mentioned the school environment exposes adolescents to TB as the dormitories they sleep in are overcrowded. They indicated that it was difficult to make a diagnosis of TB in adolescents as the adolescents do not disclose health information. They reported fellow health workers perceive adolescents as being at low risk of TB as they believe most often adolescents are HIV negative and thus have reduced risk of TB.ConclusionAdolescents present unique challenges that need to be addressed if TB diagnosis is to improve. These challenges could be handled by interventions that lead to minimal disruptions on school schedules, provision of adolescent-friendly services and intervention to build capacity of health care workers in the provision of adolescent-friendly services.

Perceptions and Feelings of Brazilian Health Care Professionals Regarding the Effects of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey.

BackgroundThe importance of health professionals has been recognized in COVID-19 pandemic–affected countries, especially in those such as Brazil, which is one of the top 3 countries that have been affected in the world. However, the workers’ perception of the stress and the changes that the pandemic has caused in their lives vary according to the conditions offered by these affected countries, including salaries, individual protection equipment, and psychological support.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of Brazilian health workers regarding the COVID-19 pandemic impact on their lives, including possible self-contamination and mental health.MethodsThis cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in Brazil by applying a 32-item questionnaire, including multiple-choice questions by using the Google Forms electronic assessment. This study was designed to capture spontaneous perceptions from health professionals. All questions were mandatory and divided into 2 blocks with different proposals: personal profile and COVID-19 pandemic impact.ResultsWe interviewed Brazilian health professionals from all 5 Brazilian regions (N=1376). Our study revealed that 1 in 5 (23%) complained about inadequate personal protective equipment, including face shields (234/1376, 17.0%), masks (206/1376, 14.9%), and laboratory coats (138/1376, 10.0%), whereas 1 in 4 health professionals did not have enough information to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease. These professionals had anxiety due to COVID-19 (604/1376, 43.9%), difficulties in sleep (593/1376, 43.1%), and concentrating on work (453/1376, 32.9%). Almost one-third experienced traumatic situations at work (385/1376, 28.0%), which may have led to negative feelings of fear of COVID-19 and sadness. Despite this situation, there was hope and empathy among their positive feelings. The survey also showed that 1 in 5 acquired COVID-19 with the most classic and minor symptoms, including headache (274/315, 87.0%), body pain (231/315, 73.3%), tiredness (228/315, 72.4%), and loss of taste and smell (208/315, 66.0%). Some of their negative feelings were higher than those of noninfected professionals (fear of COVID-19, 243/315, 77.1% vs 509/1061, 48.0%; impotence, 142/315, 45.1% vs 297/1061, 28.0%; and fault, 38/315, 12.1% vs 567/1061, 53.4%, respectively). Another worrying outcome was that 61.3% (193/315) reported acquiring an infection while working at a health facility and as expected, most of the respondents felt affected (344/1376, 25.0%) or very affected (619/1376, 45.0%) by the COVID-19.ConclusionsIn Brazil, the health professionals were exposed to a stressful situation and to the risk of self-contamination—conditions that can spell future psychological problems for these workers. Our survey findings showed that the psychological support for this group should be included in the future health planning of Brazil and of other hugely affected countries to assure a good mental health condition for the medical teams in the near future.

Implementation of the Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes in Vietnam: Marketing Practices by the Industry and Perceptions of Caregivers and Health Workers.

Background: The promotion of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) is an important barrier to successful breastfeeding. Objective: To examine the enactment and implementation of the Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (the Code) in Vietnam with a focus on marketing practices by the baby food industry and perceptions of caregivers, health workers, and policy makers. Methods: From May to July 2020, we conducted a mixed-method, cross-sectional study including a survey of 268 pregnant women and 726 mothers of infants aged 0–11 months and in-depth interviews with a subset of interviewed women (n = 39), policy makers, media executives, and health workers (n = 31). Results: In the previous 30 days, two mothers (out of 726) participating in the quantitative survey reported that health workers had recommended BMS, at private hospitals in both cases. In-depth interviews with health workers showed that hospitals have internal procedures to prevent the promotion of BMS by health workers. However, companies employed representatives to promote products not covered under the Code (e.g., commercial milk formula for pregnant women) at antenatal care visits and by gaining contact information from women and using this information to promote BMS outside the hospital, often on social media. In the 30 days preceding the survey, one-fifth of pregnant women were exposed to promotions of commercial milk formula for pregnant women and 7.1% to promotions of BMS. Among mothers of infants, 7.3% and 10.7% of respondents with infants aged 0–5 and 6–11 months, respectively, were exposed to some form of BMS promotion in the past 30 days. Around the time of birth, parents commonly brought BMS to maternity facilities (52.5%) or purchased it nearby (35.4%). Conclusions: Although Vietnam has a strong regulatory environment for the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding, there are implementation, monitoring, and enforcement gaps. Stronger enforcement of national policies to regulate the presence of BMS industry representatives in health facilities—both public and private—and the promotion of BMS products on digital platforms are needed.

Delays, fears and training needs: Perspectives of health workers on clinical management of snakebite revealed by a qualitative study in Kitui County, Kenya.

Key aims of the WHO Strategy to halve snakebite morbidity and mortality include health system strengthening and training of health workers. This requires knowledge of local health system needs and capacity, health worker training needs, and factors influencing health worker decision-making in snakebite management. This study explored health worker experiences and perceptions of snakebite management, both individually and in the context of their local health system.We used a qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews (n = 14) and focus group discussions (n = 4). We employed a combination of sampling strategies aiming to achieve maximum variation among key informants within resource limitations. We recruited health workers (n = 33) of varying roles from purposively selected tier 2, 3 and 4 health facilities (n = 12) and the community (tier 1) in four sub-counties in Kitui County, Kenya. We conducted inductive thematic analysis of all transcripts.The results identified that health workers recognised snake envenoming as a time-critical emergency in which delay in care seeking, sometimes exacerbated by health system referral delays, was a major barrier to effective management of patients. Clinicians strongly voiced a need for training in snakebite management, diagnosis and antivenom administration. Unexpressed needs for training were demonstrated in traditional remedy ineffectiveness, syndromic management, and critical appraisal of treatment effectiveness. Under-resourcing in antivenom, other medication, equipment, infrastructure and staffing also challenged management. Fear of snakebite and fear of antivenom, both linked to past experiences, influenced clinical decision-making.Our findings clearly indicate a need in Kitui County for training programmes that equip health workers for clinical decision-making in snakebite management. We further identify community intervention needs to facilitate prompt presentation to healthcare, including practical affordable transport solutions, and systematic health system resourcing needs. In addition, we recommend supportive supervision and further research in response to the emotional stress resulting from managing difficult cases in under-resourced settings.

Health workers\u2019 perceptions on where and how to integrate tobacco use cessation services into tuberculosis treatment; a qualitative exploratory study in Uganda

BackgroundTobacco use is associated with exacerbation of tuberculosis (TB) and poor TB treatment outcomes. Integrating tobacco use cessation within TB treatment could improve healing among TB patients. The aim was to explore perceptions of health workers on where and how to integrate tobacco use cessation services into TB treatment programs in Uganda.MethodsBetween March and April 2019, nine focus group discussions (FGDs) and eight key informant interviews were conducted among health workers attending to patients with tuberculosis on a routine basis in nine facilities from the central, eastern, northern and western parts of Uganda. These facilities were high volume health centres, general hospitals and referral hospitals. The FGD sessions and interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis and the Chronic Care Model as a framework.ResultsRespondents highlighted that just like TB prevention starts in the community and TB treatment goes beyond health facility stay, integration of tobacco cessation should be started when people are still healthy and extended to those who have been healed as they go back to communities. There was need to coordinate with different organizations like peers, the media and TB treatment supporters. TB patients needed regular follow up and self-management support for both TB and tobacco cessation. Patients needed to be empowered to know their condition and their caretakers needed to be involved. Effective referral between primary health facilities and specialist facilities was needed. Clinical information systems should identify relevant people for proactive care and follow up. In order to achieve effective integration, the health system needed to be strengthened especially health worker training and provision of more space in some of the facilities.ConclusionsTobacco cessation activities should be provided in a continuum starting in the community before the TB patients get to hospital, during the patients’ interface with hospital treatment and be given in the community after TB patients have been discharged. This requires collaboration between those who carry out health education in communities, the TB treatment supporters and the health workers who treat patients in health facilities.

COVID-19 Preparedness and Response: Validation of a Rapid Assessment Tool to Evaluate Priorities of Health Workers at the Grassroots Level.

Since the initial phases of the COVID-19 outbreak, international recommendations for disease control have been readily available. However, blind implementation of these recommendations without grassroot-level support could result in public distrust and low adherence. This study evaluated the use of a public health priorities survey to rapidly assess perceptions of local health workers. A cross-sectional study using a web-based survey was conducted among 5,847 health workers and medical students from January to February 2020 to evaluate the level of prioritization of various public health measures. Measures with the highest levels of prioritization were “Early prevention, environmental sanitation, and improvement of population health” and “Mobilization of community participation in disease control,” which were concordant with policies implemented by the Vietnamese government. This study also demonstrated a high level of internal validity among survey items and shared ranking of priorities among all occupational groups. The use of this public health priorities survey was found to be effective in identifying priorities as identified by grassroots health workers to provide real-time feedback to the national government. However, future iterations of this survey should consider limiting the use of each prioritization score to ensure that responses represent the reality of source limitations and consider focusing on medical professionals and community workers due medical students' limited experience with Vietnam's healthcare infrastructure.

Saudi Arabian Health Workers’ Perception and Attitudes Toward Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety

The knowledge of health workers about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety is essential to ensure patients' safety and comfort, achieve a smooth workflow, and save valuable scan time. The aim of this study was to determine the perception and attitudes of health workers toward MRI safety. A cross-sectional online survey of 194 health workers was conducted between March 27th and April 3rd, 2020. The survey instrument consisted of demographic characteristics, including 15 items on knowledge and 7 items on attitudes on perception and toward MRI safety in Aseer province, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. The overall knowledge score of the health workers was 60% and the attitude score was 71.4% for the perception of MRI safety. Participants in the age group of 30-39 years were more aware of MRI basic knowledge than other age groups. Nurses were more likely to be aware of basic MRI knowledge than physicians and dentists (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.11–5.04) and (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI = .96–9.73). Health workers having a Ph.D., master's, or bachelor's degree were more likely aware of basic MRI knowledge than were those with a diploma (AOR = 7, 95%, CI = 1.39–35.35, AOR = 8.17, 95% CI = 1.23–51.40, and AOR = 2.66, 95% CI = .97–7.29, respectively). Participants in the age group of 30-39 years were more aware of MRI safety than were those in the age group of 50- to 59 years (AOR = 4.60, 95% CI = .67–31.76). Nurses were significantly more aware of MRI safety than were other health workers (OR = 4.60, 95% CI = .67–31.76). The education level of health workers had no significant impact on perception of MRI safety (OR< 1). The knowledge score of MRI safety for nurses was significantly higher than the score of dentists, physicians, and laboratory specialists (p-value = .005). The attitude score showed no significant difference regarding the gender, age, profession, or education level of the participants (p-value >0 .05). The results highlighted the importance of training and higher studies for health workers regarding the perception and attitudes toward MRI safety. The overall knowledge of MRI safety and procedures is generally acceptable; however, more intensive health education programs are needed to improve the level of knowledge.

Short report: knowledge and perceptions of health workers that strengthen adherence for paediatric and adolescent clients on the intensive adherence counselling program in Kampala, Uganda. A qualitative study

Background: Health care workers (HWs) support HIV positive children and adolescents with detectable HIV viral loads on the intensive adherence counselling (IAC) program to achieve viral suppression through individual adherence counselling. Low re-suppression rates of 23% showed low program effectiveness in fifteen public health facilities.&#x0D; Objectives: We set out to determine the knowledge and perceptions of HWs that support this program to improve its effectiveness.&#x0D; Methods: We conducted a qualitative study where five HWs that oversee clinical care for children on ART were interviewed about the program. Data on their knowledge of the program, and perceptions on why it was not effective was collected. Thematic analysis using the inductive approach was used. Transcripts were read, coded and emergent themes determined.&#x0D; Results: Five HWs participated and all were knowledgeable about the program. Two themes emerged as barriers to IAC program effectiveness, patient factors and health system factors. Patient factors were failure to attend appointments, failure to change adherence practices, and lack of consent. Health system factors were work overload, delay in getting results and drug stock outs.&#x0D; Conclusion: HWs are knowledgeable about the IAC program and client specific barriers should be addressed to improve viral suppression for children.&#x0D; Keywords: Intensive adherence counselling; health care worker barriers.

Short report: knowledge and perceptions of health workers that strengthen adherence for paediatric and adolescent clients on the intensive adherence counselling program in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative study.

Health care workers (HWs) support HIV positive children and adolescents with detectable HIV viral loads on the intensive adherence counselling (IAC) program to achieve viral suppression through individual adherence counselling. Low re-suppression rates of 23% showed low program effectiveness in fifteen public health facilities. We set out to determine the knowledge and perceptions of HWs that support this program to improve its effectiveness. We conducted a qualitative study where five HWs that oversee clinical care for children on ART were interviewed about the program. Data on their knowledge of the program, and perceptions on why it was not effective was collected. Thematic analysis using the inductive approach was used. Transcripts were read, coded and emergent themes determined. Five HWs participated and all were knowledgeable about the program. Two themes emerged as barriers to IAC program effectiveness, patient factors and health system factors. Patient factors were failure to attend appointments, failure to change adherence practices, and lack of consent. Health system factors were work overload, delay in getting results and drug stock outs. HWs are knowledgeable about the IAC program and client specific barriers should be addressed to improve viral suppression for children.

Youths\u2019 perceptions of community health workers\u2019 delivery of family planning services: a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study in Nakaseke District, Uganda

BackgroundHigh rates of unintended adolescent pregnancy are a significant health problem in Uganda. To improve access to family planning (FP) services, community-based Village Health Teams (VHTs) are widely employed in Uganda to deliver education and services. However, evaluations of FP programs suggest that mainly older, married women use VHT FP services.MethodsTo better understand youth reluctance to use VHTs, we collected quantitative FP and contraceptive-seeking behavior data from a survey of 250 youths aged 15–25 in randomly selected households in Nakaseke District, which we triangulated with data from 3 focus group discussions (FGDs) (n = 15).ResultsMost respondents received FP services from the formal health sector, not VHTs. Only half had talked to a VHT, but 65% knew that VHTs provide free FP services, and most (82%) felt comfortable talking to VHTs about FP. The main reasons for discomfort were fear that VHTs would violate privacy (mentioned by 60% of those not comfortable), that VHTs would talk to parents (33%), shyness (mentioned by 42% of those ≤18), and fear of being judged (14%). Concern about side effects was the most common reason for not using FP methods. Survey respondents said having VHTs of the same sex was important, particularly those in the youngest age group (OR = 4.45; 95%CI: 1.24, 16.00) and those who were unmarried (OR = 5.02; 95%CI: 2.42, 10.39). However, FGD participants (who were older than survey respondents on average) often preferred older VHTs of the opposite sex, whom they viewed as more professional and trustworthy. Respondents said the primary deciding factors for using VHTs were whether privacy would be respected, the proximity of care, and the respectfulness of care.ConclusionsVHTs are a known source of FP services but not widely used by youth due to privacy and quality of care concerns. VHT messaging and training should increase focus on ensuring privacy, protecting confidentiality, providing respectful care, and addressing concerns about contraceptive side effects. Preferences for VHTs of similar age and sex may be more important for younger adolescents than older youths for whom quality concerns predominate.

Qualidade de vida e sofrimento psíquico em agentes comunitárias de saúde

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a percepção de agentes comunitárias de saúde sobre sua qualidade de vida de vida e as atividades laborativas por elas desenvolvidas. Participaram 13 agentes comunitárias de saúde que atuavam em duas unidades de saúde da família do interior de Minas Gerais. O estudo foi de caráter exploratório, desenvolvido com metodologia quali-quantitativa, realizado entre 2017 a 2018, no qual utilizou-se como instrumentos uma escala para a avaliação da qualidade de vida, questionário sociodemográfico e entrevista semi-estruturada. A partir das análises dos relatos emergiram duas categorias: Atividades desenvolvidas e sua relação com a qualidade de vida e Sofrimento psíquico causado pelo trabalho e sua relação com a qualidade de vida. Os domínios referentes às Relações Sociais e ao Meio Ambiente apresentaram pior qualidade de vida e identificou-se nas entrevistas sofrimento psíquico associado a residir no mesmo bairro em que atuavam, com sobrecarga de trabalho em momentos de folga ou férias. Também, por escutar problemas de diversas ordens que necessitam de soluções que geralmente vão além do que a prática permite, as profissionais sentiam-se incapazes, agravando seu sofrimento.

Customer Satisfaction at Galen House, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2019

Introduction: Healthcare industries have seen recent movements towards continuous quality improvement. The healthcare regulators shifted towards a market-driven approach of turning patient satisfaction surveys into a quality improvement tool for overall organizational performance. Data concerning this has remained limited in private sector in Zimbabwe. Thus, this study aims to determine patients and health workers perception about health services offered at Galen house in order to enable the institution to come up with evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of healthcare services. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. It was a mixed qualitative and quantitative study involving data collected from patients/ guardians and health workers at Galen House from January 2019 to March of the same year. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel version 2013. Results: There were a total of 270 patients involved into the study. 173 (64%) perceived the waiting before services as good. 213 (79%) perceived the total waiting time as not long. Privacy 215 (80%) and confidentiality 223 (83%) perceived as good by patients. More than 50% of health workers perceived health services offered at Galen House as good. Staff attitude was perceived as good 191 (71%) by patients in contrary to some instance by health workers. Affordability of services was perceived as manageable. Conclusion: The total waiting time was perceived as not long at Galen House. Staff attitude was perceived differently by patients and health workers. Improving those two will contribute to more utilization of services by the community.

Perception of health workers on the data management practices useful for providing integrated cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related preventive care services to people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Khomas Region, Namibia: A qualitative study

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and outdated risk factors are some of the increasing chronic comorbidities for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), leading to poor cardiovascular outcomes. Health systems in Namibia are not responding adequately to this problem by identifying risk factors when screening clients for antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Despite effortsto ensure integration of CVDs data management into existing ART platforms, incomplete disease surveillance and record-keeping remain prominent drawbacks for data managers. Hence the challenge to produce tangible evidence on relationships between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cardiovascular diseases.This study aimed to determine perceptions of healthcare workers regarding data management practices useful in integrated CVD-related preventive care services to PLHIV.A qualitative approach with phenomenological study design incorporating Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory approach was implemented. Thirteen key informants were purposively selected and interviewed. Data was transcribed verbatim, exported to ATLAS.ti and analysed by generating themes,quotes and networks. Five themes related to data management practices regarding CVDs and its risk factors in the context of HIV at targeted health facilities have been identified. They include monitoring exposure to CVDs risk factors; measuring health outcomes of those risks; handling of risk factors data, and how to use data for decision making in response to CVDs among PLHIV.

Health Workers' knowledge and perception regarding the risk of spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic: A systematic review.

Certain Health Workers (HWs) may have inadequate knowledge and perceptions regarding COVID‐19. As a result, they may not be completely aware of the danger/risk involved, which could impact their ability to control the spread of the virus. This systematic review aims to enhance HWs' knowledge and their perception of the spread risk of COVID‐19 during the pandemic. A search was conducted in four databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) to locate peer‐reviewed studies published in English between January 2020 and April 2020. Eventually, nine articles satisfied the inclusion criteria and were, therefore, included in the present study. Six of the aforementioned studies specifically investigated HWs' perception of risk. Apart from a study that indicated medium perception (min = 56.5%), all other studies found high levels of risk perception (n = 5, max 92.1%). As for HWs' knowledge, apart from two studies that indicated medium percentage levels (min = 56.5%), the rest of the studies report high percentages (n = 7, max = 93.2%). Two of the studies, which assessed the sources of information that HWs use, agree that social media is the most widely used source of information. The findings of this study suggest that HWs had a satisfactory perception of risk during the spread of COVID‐19. Although fields with medium knowledge levels were identified, HWs' overall knowledge may also be described as satisfactory. It is also noted that certain demographic characteristics (occupation, age, and years of experience) appear to affect HWs' knowledge and perceptions. The application of educational strategies aiming to provide continuous support to HWs is unanimously recommended by all studies.