Personal Protective Practices Research Articles

Impact of lack of knowledge on risk perception and protective practices of home nurses handling antineoplastic drugs.

Introduction: Health care workers handling antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are at risk of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive toxic risks (CMR). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the lack of knowledge (K) on risk perception (P) and on protective practices (PP) related to the handling of home-based chemotherapy (HC) by home nurses. Methods: This study was conducted in Normandy among home nurses. A questionnaire was developed to explore the K, P and PP related to handling ADs by home nurses working with four different providers from two hospitals. Results: Among the 28 home nurses included, 25.93% had received initial training on the specific treatment of ADs, 48.15% scored below average on risk management K, 52.00% scored below average on personal PP. Conclusion: This study reveals the importance of adapted and regular training on the handling of ADs. It will help develop a climate of safety and reinforce adherence to wearing personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from contamination.

Correction to: Influence of Political Ideology on Coping and Personal Protection Practices During the Early Days of the COVID‑19 Pandemic

Correction to: Influence of Political Ideology on Coping and Personal Protection Practices During the Early Days of the COVID‑19 Pandemic

Influence of Political Ideology on Coping and Personal Protection Practices During the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Even prior to COVID-19, it was clear that political ideology was defining experiences and attitudes of Americans. Responses to the societal repercussions brought about by the pandemic quickly seemed to follow the same pattern of difference across the spectrum of political beliefs. This study explores the relationship of political ideology to personal responses to COVID. The present article reports on the results of an online survey in the USA conducted in June 2020 that explored the impact of personal political ideology on individual responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that political ideology was related to the likelihood of respondents following government guidance on personal protective practices. Ideological identification was not a significant predictor of the likelihood to specifically follow guidance from state officials, specifically, when satisfaction with state and federal leaders were controlled for. Differences in responses to COVID, including use of personal protection strategies and coping mechanisms are related to political ideology. Practice and policy should be responsive to these differences.

The Risk Perception COVID-19 Scale (RP-COVID19-S): Initial Validation and Its Relationship with Gender and Age in a Cuban Population Sample.

BackgroundRisk perception about COVID-19 constitutes an important variable contributing to promotion of personal protection practices. The aims of this study were to exploring the factorial structure of the risk perception COVID-19 scale (RP-COVID19-S) in a sample of Cuban adults and to identify its relationship with variables such as gender and age.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey design was conducted. The sample comprised 394 Cuban participants. Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) was used to explore internal factorial structure of the scale. Logistic regression was modeling to identify variables independently associated with RP about COVID-19.ResultsCATPCA allowed identifying a three-dimensional factorial structure into the scale: knowledge and beliefs, emotional reactions and behavioral dissonance, and motivations for change. The odds of a woman with middle RP compared to low RP was 2.17 times more than for a man. Also, the odds of a woman with high knowledge and beliefs compared to low knowledge and beliefs were 1.96 times more than for a man. The odds of a person in older group, with middle risk perception compared with low level, was 5.0 (global risk perception), 3.33 (knowledge and beliefs), and 3.13 (emotional reactions and behavioral dissonance) times more than for a person in younger group, respectively.ConclusionThe Risk Perception to COVD-19 Scale (RP-COVID-19-S) showed satisfactory psychometric properties to evaluated risk perception related to COVID-19 in Cuban population sample. Middle level of global risk perception was found in the sample. High level of risk perception about COVID-19 was found on participants older than 42 years old and in woman.

Masking our risky behavior: how licensing and fear reduction reduce social distancing behavior

ABSTRACT Licensing and fear reduction can explain why people only partially adopt health precautions while still believing that they are remaining compliant with recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed individuals’ attitudes regarding social distancing and personal protective practices, as well as concern about COVID-19 and behaviors in April of 2020. Concern about COVID-19 had dual, competing effects on social distancing behavior. Concern predicted increased social distancing behavior via more positive social distance policy attitudes. However, concern also predicted decreased social distancing behavior via more positive attitudes toward personal protective practices, such as mask wearing. Licensing and/or fear reduction allows individuals to view personal protective practices as substitutable rather than additive measures of safety that should complement social distancing, and this effect is not explained by partisanship or working from home. Policy makers should be cautious when advocating for multiple health precautions of varying effectiveness that are intended to be additive.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among health professionals in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic on 11th March, 2020. In Ethiopia, more than 90,490 and 1,300 confirmed cases and deaths were reported by the Federal Ministry of Health at the time of writing up this project. As health care providers are frontline workers managing the COVID-19 pandemic, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among health professionals in Ethiopia.MethodsPubMed, Google Scholar, Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and African Journal of Online (AJOL) were searched. The data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA version 14. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot and more objectively through Egger’s regression test, with P < 0.05 considered to indicate potential publication bias. The heterogeneity of studies was checked using I2 statistics. Pooled analysis was conducted using a weighted inverse variance random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was done related to geographic region and time. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was also employed.ResultA total of 11 studies with 3,843 study participants for knowledge, eight studies with 2,842 study participants for attitude and 10 studies with 3, 435 study participants for practice were used to estimate the pooled level of good knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice among health professionals. The overall estimated good level of knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice towards COVID-19 was found to be 79.4% (95% CI: 73.5%-85.2%; I2 = 96%), 73.7% (95%CI: 63.09%-84.4%; I2 = 98.3%) and 40.3% (95%CI: 31.1%-49.6%; I2 = 97.1%) respectively.ConclusionStudy findings showed that there were significant gaps in COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practice with respect to World Health Organization recommendations on COVID-19 management and personal protection practices. This study therefore recommends that institutions provide with immediate effect accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 and training that encourages improved knowledge, attitude and practice to mitigate this pandemic.

Nonlinear dynamics of COVID-19 SEIR infection model with optimal control analysis

In this study, we have presented a data-driven SEIR compartmental model for the 2019 coronavirus infections in Ghana. Using the fminsearch optimization routine in Matlab, and the reported cumulative infected cases of COVID-19 in Ghana from 13th March 2020 to 6th October 2020, we have estimated the basic reproduction number, R0 ≈ 1.0413. We have further developed a controlled SEIR dynamical model for COVID-19 disease with a personal protection control strategy. We have derived an optimality system from our proposed optimal control problem. Using the fourth Runge-Kutta iterative scheme with the forward-backward method, we have performed numerical simulations for the model problem. From the numerical results, we can argue that proper personal protection practices can help reduce the disease transmission in the susceptible human population.

One Health: Farmworker Perceptions of Antibiotic Resistance and Personal Protective Practices on Wisconsin Dairy Farms

Background: Antimicrobials are used on dairy farms for preventing disease and treating common infections such as mastitis. Objective: We aimed to understand farmworker practices that potentially contribute to transmission of antimicrobial resistance bacteria and their genes (ARG) among animals and farm workers, and to identify human behavioral interventions to reduce risk. Methods: Focus groups with farm workers were held at 8 dairy farms across Wisconsin selected to represent a range of antibiotic use in cattle. We explored the nature of potentially high-risk practices and farm-worker knowledge and experiences with antibiotic use and resistance. Farm workers were asked to describe common tasks, including hand hygiene and eating practices, and the policies guiding these practices. Focus groups were conducted in English and Spanish guided by the Systems Engineering in Patient Safety (SEIPS) framework, adapted for an agricultural context. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and translated. A content analysis was conducted to identify themes. Dedoose version 8.0.35 software was used to organize the data. Results: In total, 10 focus groups were conducted on 8 farms. Knowledge of when to use antibiotics for human health varied; upset stomach, headache, and flu symptoms were suggested as appropriate uses. Few workers had personal experience with antibiotic resistance at home or on the farm. Some displayed knowledge of the role of antibiotic stewardship in preventing the spread of ARG (“I guess all dairy farmers have a responsibility not to overdo it”). Others associated the risk of spread with the consumption of raw milk or meat from cows receiving antibiotics. Knowledge of personal protective equipment was stronger among workers who commonly reported glove use. Some perceived glove use to be mandatory, and others chose to wear gloves in the perceived absence of written rules. Some workers reported changing gloves numerous times throughout the day, and others did so less frequently or “only when they rip.” In general, hand hygiene practices are guided by individual knowledge of established rules, beliefs about risk, and personal discretion. Conclusions: Knowledge about mechanisms of spread of ARGs varies among workers on Wisconsin dairy farms and reflects a combination of farm-level rules, experience, individual knowledge, and beliefs. Applying knowledge from the healthcare setting to reduce ARG spread into agriculture is crucial to the tenets of One Health. Programs to reduce ARG spread on dairy farms should focus on proper hand hygiene and PPE use at the level of knowledge, beliefs, and practices.Funding: Funding: was provided by the USDA-NIFA Food Safety Challenge (grant no. 2017-68003-26500).Disclosures: None

Abstract S11-02: Patient-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment: A national survey

Abstract Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the health care delivery system. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: Potential survey respondents were identified through partnerships with breast cancer organizations including Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, SHARE, Survivingbreastcancer.org, Sisters Network Inc., the African American Breast Cancer Alliance, and through ResearchMatch.org. Study information was shared via social media, websites, or email. Individuals were eligible for this study if they: 1) receive routine breast cancer screening, or 2) are undergoing diagnostic evaluation for breast cancer, or 3) had ever been diagnosed with breast cancer. Participants accessed and completed the 10-15-minute REDCap survey either by emailing the research team and receiving a private survey link or by clicking a public link. The survey collected information on respondent demographics; breast cancer screening and diagnosis; the extent to which screening, diagnosis, or treatment had been changed, delayed, or canceled because of COVID-19; personal protective practices; extent of worry about financial and health implications of COVID-19; and use of telemedicine. We used descriptive statistical analyses to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on respondents. Results: There are currently 415 survey respondents, 404 of whom agreed to participate in the study. 46.8% (N=189) of respondents were white, 26.7% (N=108) Black, 6.7% (N=27) Asian, and 5.5% Hispanic or Latino (N=22). Most respondents were between the ages of 50 and 69 years (52.2%, N=211). 43.3% (N=175) of respondents had been diagnosed with breast cancer and, of those, 36% (N=63) were in active treatment. More than a quarter of participants (26.5%, N=107) reported delayed or canceled breast cancer care due to COVID-19; the most frequently affected care was screening mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI (97.2%, N=104). 20.6% (N=13) of women in active treatment reported delayed or canceled surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation visits. 22.3% (N=90) of respondents reported that an in-person visit was changed to a phone call or videoconference, and 39.1% (N=158) said they had discussed COVID-19 with a health care provider. 29.1% (N=51) of those with breast cancer were worried or very worried that the COVID-19 pandemic would make it harder for them to get cancer care; among those without breast cancer, 34.9% (N=80) were worried that COVID-19 would make it harder to obtain health care, including breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt breast cancer-related care, primarily screening. Planning and coordination are necessary to ensure the timely return of these patients to care. Most participants agreed to be contacted for follow-up, allowing us to investigate the long-term effects of delayed breast cancer screening, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment on health outcomes. Citation Format: Erica T. Warner, Emily Restrepo, Christine Benjamin, Ricki Fairley, Laura Roudebush, Leah Eshraghi, Crystal Hertz, Simo Du, Laura Carfang. Patient-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment: A national survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr S11-02.

Personal protective practices and pharmacy services delivery by community pharmacists during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a national survey.

IntroductionCoronavirus disease (COVID19) has adversely affected the delivery of various health services. Little is known about the impact of COVID19 on pharmacy services across the United Kingdom (UK). We surveyed community pharmacists across the UK to understand their protective practices, professional and general well-being, and the delivery of pharmacy services during the COVID19 pandemic.MethodsCommunity pharmacists were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey via the nationwide weekly newsletter of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the local pharmaceutical committees during the second week of May 2020. The survey remained open for 4 weeks.ResultsA total of 206 pharmacists responded to the survey with representations from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The majority of pharmacists (>75% or above) reported an increase in customer traffic to their pharmacy and were asking relevant questions from patients with flu-like symptoms before signposting them to the appropriate care. Most pharmacists (>85%) were maintaining a safe distance of 2 m from customers and 72% were wearing an N95 protective mask and 28% were using protective gloves and apron in addition to safe distancing and protective masks. Ninety-nine percent of pharmacists reported drug shortages with 38% and 26% reported significant drug shortages and critical drug shortages causing disruptions beyond over the counter medicines. Eighty-nine percent pharmacists reported inappropriate behaviour from patients or carers with 31% and 16% reported it to be a regular or frequent problem, respectively. Fifty-three% of pharmacists were willing to offer their assistance for mass testing of COVID19 antibodies if adequate training and reimbursement are provided.ConclusionCommunity pharmacists in the UK are facing considerable challenges in terms of personal protection and the delivery of pharmacy services. Inappropriate behaviour from patients and carers towards community pharmacists require urgent attention to ensure a safe working place for all community pharmacists.

Universal Screening of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 with Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing after Rally of Trainee Doctors.

There were two rallies of medical students and trainee doctors, where 9,000 participants gathered. We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based universal screening for the participants using pooling at a tertiary care hospital. Around 609 (94%) of 646 participants underwent PCR tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; all of them tested negative. Our data suggested low transmission rates in open air mass gatherings when appropriate personal protective practices were followed.

Zika Virus -10 Public Health Achievements in 2016 and Future Priorities.

The introduction of Zika virus into the Region of the Americas (Americas) and the subsequent increase in cases of congenital microcephaly resulted in activation of CDC's Emergency Operations Center on January 22, 2016, to ensure a coordinated response and timely dissemination of information, and led the World Health Organization to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on February 1, 2016. During the past year, public health agencies and researchers worldwide have collaborated to protect pregnant women, inform clinicians and the public, and advance knowledge about Zika virus (Figure 1). This report summarizes 10 important contributions toward addressing the threat posed by Zika virus in 2016. To protect pregnant women and their fetuses and infants from the effects of Zika virus infection during pregnancy, public health activities must focus on preventing mosquito-borne transmission through vector control and personal protective practices, preventing sexual transmission by advising abstention from sex or consistent and correct use of condoms, and preventing unintended pregnancies by reducing barriers to access to highly effective reversible contraception.

Factors Influencing Nurses' Use of Hazardous Drug Safe-Handling Precautions.

To identify factors associated with oncology nurses' use of hazardous drug (HD) safe-handling precautions in inpatient clinical research units. . Descriptive, cross-sectional. . The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. . 115 RNs working on high-volume HD administration units. . Survey data were collected online using the Hazardous Drug Handling Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. . Exposure knowledge, self-efficacy, barriers to personal protective equipment use, perceived risk, conflict of interest, interpersonal influences, workplace safety climate, and total mean HD precaution use. . Participants demonstrated high exposure knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived risk, interpersonal influences, and workplace safety climate. Participants demonstrated moderate barriers and conflict of interest. Total mean HD precaution use proved highest during HD administration and lowest for handling excreta at 48 hours. Average patients per day significantly influenced total HD precaution. Despite high exposure knowledge, barriers to personal protective equipment use and conflict of interest may contribute to reduced adoption of personal protective practices among oncology nurses. . Hospital and unit-specific factors captured by the predictor variables could contribute to institutional HD policy.

Abstract CN02-02: Research on establishing policies for comprehensive UV protection

Abstract Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In July 2014, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a Call to Action to prevent skin cancer by reducing exposure to solar and non-solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), a primary risk factor. Policies in educational, occupational, and public spheres are an important component in these prevention efforts. Comprehensive policies are comprised of environmental controls, administrative procedures, and personal protection practices. Policy approaches can overcome low perceived risk, equalize differences among subgroups, maximize health education, and clarify personal and organizational responsibilities. Policy initiatives require effective strategies to achieve changes in organizations. This presentation reviews research by the author and other scientists evaluating strategies for promoting policy change. This works was guided by the diffusion of innovations theory, which holds that policy promotion is achieved through two phases initiation in which organization leaders identify a problem and decide that policy addresses it and implementation where actions dictated by the policy are initiated, organizations adjust their practices or the policy to improve fit, and policy actions become institutionalized. Children are a key target for sun protection interventions and schools have been a common venue for these efforts. A policy promotion program containing in-person meetings with district administrators, printed and online policy materials, and follow-up communication was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial enrolling 112 public school districts in Colorado (n=56) and California (n=56). At follow-up, school districts assigned to the intervention had more (M=2.41) and stronger (M=3.21) school board approved sun protection policies than control districts (content M=1.35, p=0.020; strength M=1.68, p=0.013). Policies on sunscreen (p=0.026), outdoor shade (p=0.026), and parent outreach (p=0.096) were improved. Individuals who work outdoors are chronically exposed to UV and have high prevalence of skin cancer. Workplace sun protection policies are being promoted to city, county, and special district employers (n=98) in a randomized controlled trial in Colorado. The campaign includes training for employees and a sun safety consultant who works with senior managers on policy creation. Assessment of written workplace policies showed that while 86% of employers already had a policy on a sun safety component (e.g., headwear and eyewear) at baseline, most pertained only to personal protection and only 21% were explicitly intended for sun protection. Proximity to the urban Colorado Front Range was the sole predictor of having a sun safety policy (p&amp;lt;0.01). In the public arena, efforts are underway to convince state legislators to restrict access to indoor tanning (IT) facilities by minors. Up to 15% of teens indoor tanned in the past year (23% of girls; 6% of boys). Nearly all states (n=44) have some IT policies. Currently, 23 states have age restrictions but only 11 ban all minors under 18. Also, 28 states have exceptions for parental permission. Age restrictions are more effective at reducing IT by minors than parental permission. Many parents are unaware of the risks and maternal permissiveness is a strong predictor of IT initiation by girls. There are several important lessons from this research. Policy change is feasible with a theory-based, systematic intervention but it takes time to succeed. Most organizations prefer policies on personal protection; strategies are needed to change environments and administrative procedures. Many decision makers need to be educated on skin cancer prevention, and policy initiatives can face strong competing pressures. Making policy adoption easy and supporting policy implementation are necessary to achieve their potential benefits. Citation Format: David Buller. Research on establishing policies for comprehensive UV protection. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2014 Sep 27-Oct 1; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2015;8(10 Suppl): Abstract nr CN02-02.

Investigation on a Dog Rabies Case and Rabid Dog Meat Consumption, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, 2011

In March 2011, public fear on health risk of rabid dog meat consumption was emerged in Nakhon Phanom Province. Investigation was conducted to identify extent of exposure and recommendation for rabies prevention. We surveyed in affected villages to find out rabies cases and exposed contacts among dogs, cats and humans. Persons who had contacted with the rabid dog, its carcass or meat were interviewed about their contacts, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards rabies. The survey revealed that three owned dogs had been bitten by the rabid dog and 58 persons contacted it. Among the contact persons, 11.3% (bitten by the rabid dog, contact with carcass or saliva, butchered or cooked) and 19.0% (contacted dogs bitten by the rabid dog) fit in the WHO criteria as exposed and possible exposed persons respectively. Thirty two persons who ate well cooked meat of the rabid dog were classified as non-exposed persons. One third of the contact persons did not know about rabies. Persons who ate rabid dog meat had less knowledge on rabies reservoir and transmission compared with those did not eat (P-value &lt;0.05). Contact persons and dogs were provided with post-exposure vaccination; none of them developed rabies. Several types of exposure, except ingesting well cooked meat, posed risk of rabies and local public should be educated about these for better personal protective practices.

Microbiological air quality in an urban solid waste selection plant

Background: Exposure to bioaerosols may pose health risks to workers operating in the processing of Urban Solid Waste (USW). The aim of this study is to evaluate microbiological air quality within an USW selection facility. Methods: Nine sampling points in an USW selection plant situated in central-southern Italy were selected. One outdoor sampling point provided the background data. Sampling was performed on a yearly basis (2005 ‐ 2009) upon request by the management of the selection plant. Total Mesophilic Counts (TMC), as well as fungal and Gram-negative concentrations were determined. Results: The highest viable fungal particles concentrations (medians) were found in waste delivery areas (about 20000 CFU/m 3), while the lowest were found in the control rooms (485 ‐ 967 CFU/m 3). TMC (median) was highest (6116 CFU/m 3) at the delivery pit, followed by the machine shop (3147 CFU/m 3), where no waste processing takes place. Medians of Gram-negative bacteria are below the suggested Occupational Exposure Limit of 1000 CFU/m 3, although this limit was exceeded at several single time-points in the waste delivery areas, and also in a personnel resting room. The lowest Gram-negative contamination was found in the control rooms (medians <1 CFU/m 3). Conclusions: Some areas within a USW selection plant act as internal sources of contamination towards those areas where partially processed waste, or no waste at all, is present. Well-designed air flows, or carefullythought positioning of areas that are not directly involved in waste processing are necessary and effective in obtaining satisfactory microbiological air quality, provided that personal protection practices are strictly enforced.

Behavioral Risks for West Nile Virus Disease, Northern Colorado, 2003

In 2003, residents in 2 adjacent cities in northern Colorado (Loveland and Fort Collins) had severe outbreaks of human West Nile virus (WNV) disease. Unexpectedly, age-adjusted neuroinvasive disease rates were higher in Loveland (38.6 vs. 15.9 per 100,000), which had a more extensive mosquito control program and fewer mosquitoes. A survey was conducted to assess differences in personal protection and risk practices by each city's residents. During May and June 2004, a random-digit dial telephone survey was conducted among adults to assess personal protection behavioral practices used to prevent WNV infection during the 2003 outbreak. After we adjusted for identified risk factors, Loveland residents were 39% more likely to report seldom or never using N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), and approximately 30% were more likely to report being outdoors during prime mosquito-biting hours than Fort Collins residents. Personal protective practices may directly influence rates of WNV infection and remain important even when comprehensive community mosquito control measures are implemented.