Availability Of Personal Protective Equipment Research Articles

‘Quality assessment of infection control measures in delivery points in a tribal district of Maharashtra’ - An observational study

ABSTRACT Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain alarmingly high in low-resource settings, with infections acquired during childbirth contributing significantly to this burden. Effective infection control measures at delivery points are crucial for mitigating these risks. This observational study aimed to assess the quality of infection control practices in delivery points in a tribal district of Maharashtra, India. Methods: A community-based study was conducted at delivery points across eight talukas in Palghar district. A total of 15 delivery points were selected using convenient sampling, representing three levels of facilities (L1, L2 and L3) which are healthcare facilities divided on the basis of the provision of services by Maternal and Newborn Health Toolkit. Data was collected using the validated LaQshya programme’s checklist through direct observation from June 1st to June 18th, 2021. Compliance with infection control protocols was scored based on predefined criteria. Results: The majority of L1 delivery points showed non-compliance in criteria such as surface microbiological surveillance and monitoring of infection control practices, 20–40% of Delivery points also showed non-compliance in the availability of personal protective equipment and waste management practices. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve infection control practices in delivery points, particularly in lower-level facilities. Strengthening adherence to established protocols, enhancing staff training, ensuring availability of essential supplies and implementing robust monitoring systems are imperative for reducing the burden of maternal and neonatal infections and improving healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

Adherence to infection prevention practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in Northeastern Ethiopia, following the Northern Ethiopia conflict.

In resource-limited areas, especially in conflict-affected settings, managing the risk of hospital-acquired infections is difficult due to the destruction of essential facilities in healthcare settings. The study aimed to assess adherence to Infection prevention practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in Northeastern Ethiopia following the Northern Ethiopia conflict. A facility-based cross-sectional study was done with 408 healthcare workers. The survey data was collected using a structured questionnaire based on published articles. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi-Data version 4.6 and SPSS version 25.0, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between dependent and outcome variables, with a cut-off p value 0.05 at 95% confidence interval with a p-value less than 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval for determining factors associated with adherence to infection prevention practices among study participants. The study included 408 healthcare workers with a response rate of 96.7%. The majority of participants were women 206 (50.5%), married 250 (61.3%), Orthodox followers 211 (51.7%), and educational status of master holder and above with a master's degree or higher 177 (43.4%). Slightly more than half, 53.7% (219) of the respondents demonstrated safe infection prevention practices. Respondents who received training on infection prevention practices (AOR = 2.662, 95% CI: 1.361, 5.120) had an active infection prevention committee (AOR = 2.203, 95% CI: 1.359, 3.572), use infection prevention guidelines in working departments (AOR = 2.090, 95% CI: 1.013, 4.312), and access to adequate personal protective equipment (AOR = 2.773, 95% CI: 1.560, 4.929) were factors significantly associated with adherence to infection prevention practices. Overall, only half of the respondents practiced safe infection prevention practices. Receive training on infection prevention guidelines, presence of active infection prevention committee and working guidelines, and the availability of personal protective equipment were factors of infection prevention. Hence, essential facilities like Personal protective equipment, working guidelines should be supplied by donors.

Distribution Model of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Using the Spatial Dominance Test and Decision Tree Algorithm

The COVID-19 case has developed positively, but preventive measures must be taken to anticipate SARS-CoV-2 mutations. Anticipation can include policies, preparing health workers, and providing personal protective equipment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability is a big challenge in handling pandemics, especially COVID-19. The level of need for PPE in an area depends on the number of COVID-19 cases. This research provides a solution to overcome the availability of PPE by applying the concept of cross-regional collaboration. Areas with low COVID-19 case rates can help areas with high COVID-19 case rates by sending PPE assistance. Implementing the cross-regional collaboration concept is assisted by the spatial dominance test algorithm, namely the spatial skyline query. Spatial Skyline Query works by searching for the most ideal area. The ideal area is an area with low COVID-19 case criteria. The low number of positive cases, death cases, probable cases, and close contact cases supports the low number of COVID-19 cases. Areas with the highest number of recovered cases are also priorities. The SSQ model was developed into two models for searching priority areas for PPE assistants. The first model is Sort Filter Skyline 1 (SFS1), and the second is Sort Filter Skyline 2 (SFS2). SFS1 is a form of SFS algorithm optimization that searches for the best 50% of all regions. SFS2 modifies SFS1 by selecting areas whose distance is <= the average distance of the area to the Health Crisis Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. This research involves searching for priority areas and applying a prediction algorithm to extract knowledge built from the prediction model. The algorithm used is C5.0. The data used to apply the prediction algorithm results from the application of SFS1 and SFS2. The results of testing the prediction model by the C5.0 algorithm produced an accuracy of 77.26% for SFS1 data and 92.01% for SFS2. The average rules resulting from the C5.0 algorithm are three for SFS1 and two for SFS2.

Infection prevention and control status at public hospitals and factors associated with COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in Myanmar: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundHospitals should prepare for emerging diseases and protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from work-related infection. This study aims to assess public hospital preparedness for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a year after the Myanmar government began implementing COVID-19 prevention measures, and to identify factors associated with work-related COVID-19 infection among HCWs in Myanmar.MethodsIn January 2021, data were collected from 101 hospitals and 706 HCWs who had COVID-19 in Myanmar in 2020. Data from the hospitals included basic information, the status of infection prevention and control (IPC), the preparedness for COVID-19 (guidelines, checklists, fever screening, patient pathway, and training), handwashing facilities, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE). Data of COVID-19 infected HCWs included age, occupation, workplace, severity and source of COVID-19 infection, knowledge and practice of handwashing, and working environment. Chi-square test was performed to compare the preparedness for COVID-19 among three hospital levels (primary, secondary and tertiary levels). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors of work-related infection of HCWs.ResultsThe total number of beds, HCWs, and COVID-19 patients in 2020 at the 101 hospitals was 12,888, 14,421, and 19,835, respectively. The availability of PPE was high in hospitals at all levels. Approximately 80% of hospitals had functional status of IPC, set up fever screening and patient pathway, and provided training on IPC and COVID-19. However, only 39.6% of hospitals had developed COVID-19 guidelines and 55.4% had developed checklists. The percentage of hospitals that prepared each measurement was lowest at the primary level. The factors associated with work-related COVID-19 among HCWs were being 30–39 years old, working as a doctor, working at isolation wards, having disinfection technique training, and having enough PPE at the workplace.ConclusionThe preparedness for COVID-19 at public hospitals in Myanmar in January 2021 was insufficient, especially in the availability of the guidelines and checklists and at primary hospitals. A support system for hospital pandemic preparedness and monitoring of IPC implementation is needed. The government should prepare for emerging diseases and provide appropriate and adequate PPE and additional training to all HCWs, especially HCWs who work for isolation wards.

Factors associated with correction of personal protective equipment nonadherence in a multidisciplinary emergency department setting: A retrospective video review

Despite local and national recommendations, health care provider adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) varied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies have identified factors influencing initial PPE adherence but did not address factors influencing behaviors leading to correction after initial nonadherence. We conducted a retrospective video review of 18 pediatric resuscitations involving aerosol-generating procedures from March 2020 to December 2022 to identify factors associated with nonadherence correction. We quantified adherent and nonadherent providers, instances of PPE nonadherence, and time to correction. We also analyzed correction behaviors, including provider actions and correction locations. Among 434 providers, 362 (83%) were nonadherent with at least 1 PPE. Only 186 of 1,832 instances of nonadherence were corrected, primarily upon room entry and during patient care. Correction time varied by PPE type and nonadherence level (incomplete vs absent). Most corrections were self-initiated, with few reminders from other providers. Potential barriers to correction include a lack of social pressure and external reminders. Solutions include optimizing PPE availability, providing real-time feedback, and educating on double gloving. Most providers were nonadherent to PPE requirements during high-risk infection transmission events. The low correction rate suggests challenges in promoting collective responsibility and maintaining protective behaviors during medical emergencies.

Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kepatuhan Penggunaan Alat Pelindung Diri pada Pekerja Bengkel Las di Kecamatan Kota Soe

Welding workshops operating in Soe City District on average employ around 4-6 people with a minimum education of elementary school-graduate level. The welding process using electric power exposes workers directly to the dangers in the workplace. It is necessary to have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by workers while working and while in the workplace environment. The aim of this research is to determine factors related to compliance with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among welding workshop workers in Soe City District. Sampling in this study used simple random sampling with a sample size of 94 people. Analysis of this relationship uses the chi square test as an alternative test. The research results show that there is a relationship between knowledge (p value=0.004), attitude (p value=0.001), availability of personal protective equipment (p value=0.008), and there is no relationship between education (p= value= 0.642), age (p value=0.294), and work accidents (p value=0.483) with compliance with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among welding workshop workers in Soe City District.

Quality of work life and associated factors among health professionals working at private and government health institutions in Awi zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2022: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Quality of work-life issues significantly impact the economic, physical, and psychological well-being of health professionals and their families. Enhancing QWL aims to foster a conducive environment and improve work performance. This study evaluated the quality of work life of health professionals in government and private health institutions in the Awi zone, Ethiopia. A comparative cross-sectional approach was employed, with study participants selected via the lottery method in 2022. Socio-demographic and organizational-related data were collected, coded, cleaned, and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1, then analyzed using SPSS version 27. Candidate variables were selected using bivariable logistic regression (p < 0.20). We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with quality of work life, presenting AOR with a 95% CI at a 5% significance level. The study included 385 private health professionals and 395 government health professionals, with response rates of 90.38 and 92.72%, respectively. Overall quality of work-life satisfaction was 53.08% (95% CI: 49.2-57.0), with private health institution workers reporting satisfaction at 42.3% (95% CI: 37.4-47.30) and government health professionals at 63.54% (95% CI: 58.78-68.31). The difference between the two groups was 21.2% (95% CI: 14.3, 27.9). Factors significantly associated with quality of work life included type of health institutions (AOR = 2.272; 1.684, 3.065), family size (AOR = 1.536; 1.122, 2.103), personnel protective equipment (AOR = 1.369; 1.006, 1.863), eye protection (AOR = 2.090; 1.514, 2.885), engineering control (AOR = 1.563; 1.140, 2.143), and accessibility of alcohol (AOR = 1.714; 1.219, 2.410). Health professionals in private health institutions exhibited lower quality of work-life satisfaction than government health institutions. Quality of work life was significantly associated with the type of health institutions, family size, availability of personal protective equipment, eye protection, engineering control, and accessibility of alcohol. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the quality of work life, ensuring the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment, and providing sufficient materials and equipment for both groups were recommended based on the findings.

Post-Pandemic Insomnia in Healthcare Workers: A Prospective Study including Sociodemographic, Occupational and Psychosocial Variables.

Background/Objectives: Previous research points to the prevalence of insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs). However, longitudinal studies on its evolution, including the post-pandemic stage, are less abundant, with a special lack of research about possible psychosocial risk factors. The aim of the current study is to analyze the evolution of insomnia in Spanish HCWs from the beginning of the pandemic until two years later, examining the influence of sociodemographic, occupational and psychosocial variables. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal design with three data collection periods in which insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), in addition to sociodemographic, occupational and psychosocial (i.e., social support, self-efficacy, resilience and cognitive fusion) variables in HCWs (n = 216) who were in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Results: High scores were observed for insomnia, with a clear decrease throughout the periods studied (F = 30.198, p < 0.001). An association was observed between insomnia and certain sociodemographic and occupational variables (i.e., work category, p = 0.001; availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), p < 0.001; workload, p < 0.001; worry about self or family contagion, p = 0.002, p = 0.003, respectively). Insomnia had negative relationships with social support (p = 0.014), self-efficacy (p < 0.001) and resilience (p < 0.001) and positive relationships with cognitive fusion (p < 0.001). Interaction effects between the evolution of insomnia and social support from friends (p = 0.024, ƞ2 = 0.34) and between the evolution of insomnia and cognitive fusion (p = 0.047; ƞ2 = 0.25) were found. Conclusions: Social support, self-efficacy and resilience act as buffers for insomnia. Cognitive fusion acts as a clear precipitator of insomnia as well as directly influencing its evolution. Social support from friends also affects the evolution of insomnia. Within the specific circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, a long-term effect of social support from friends and a short-term effect of cognitive fusion on the evolution of insomnia was observed. The findings emphasize the need to implement specific interventions to promote the mental well-being of HCWs, particularly in crisis contexts that involve an increase in occupational stress, emphasizing the role of certain psychosocial variables as protective factors.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Services in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study on Healthcare Providers' Perspectives.

The objective of this study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences in managing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on healthcare services. A qualitative study was conducted with 34 healthcare professionals across 15 districts in Bangladesh. Among the participants, 24 were health managers or administrators stationed at the district or upazila (sub-district) level, and 10 were clinicians providing care to patients with COVID-19. The telephone interviews were conducted in Bangla, audio-recorded, transcribed, and then translated into English. Data were analyzed thematically. Most interviewees identified a range of issues within the health system. These included unpreparedness, challenges in segregating COVID-19 patients, maintaining isolation and home quarantine, a scarcity of intensive care unit beds, and ensuring continuity of service for non-COVID-19 patients. The limited availability of personal protective equipment, a shortage of human resources, and logistical challenges, such as obtaining COVID-19 tests, were frequently cited as barriers to managing the pandemic. Additionally, changes in the behavior of health service seekers, particularly increased aggression, were reported. The primary motivating factor for healthcare providers was the willingness to continue providing health services, rather than financial incentives. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique set of challenges for health systems, while also providing valuable lessons in managing a public health crisis. To effectively address future health crises, it is crucial to resolve a myriad of issues within the health system, including the inequitable distribution of human resources and logistical challenges.

Pentingnya Penggunaan Alat Pelindung Diri (APD) pada Pekerja Bangunan terhadap Keselamatan Kerja

Construction workers are often exposed to high risks of injury and illness due to potentially dangerous work environments. Therefore, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is very important to protect them from various threats on construction sites. Literature research conducted in recent years has provided consistent evidence regarding the benefits and importance of using PPE in the construction industry. Various types of PPE, such as safety helmets, safety shoes, protective eyewear, respirators, and gloves, have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of physical injury and exposure to hazardous materials. Literature studies also show that implementing strict policies related to the use of PPE can reduce the rate of work accidents and work-related illnesses. In addition, proper training and awareness of the importance of occupational safety have been proven to increase worker compliance with the use of PPE. Factors such as adequate availability of PPE, strict standards, a strong safety culture, supervision, and ongoing education are key elements in ensuring effective use of PPE and improving occupational safety in construction workplaces. Therefore, continued emphasis on the correct and consistent use of PPE is a must in efforts to maintain the safety and health of construction workers throughout the world.

Maternal care utilization and provision during the COVID-19 pandemic: Voices from minoritized pregnant and postpartum women and maternal care providers in Deep South.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected maternal care services especially for minoritized individuals, creating challenges for both service users (i.e., African American and Hispanic pregnant/postpartum women) and maternal care providers (MCPs). Guided by a socioecological framework, this study aims to investigate the experiences of African American and Hispanic pregnant and postpartum women, as well as MCPs, in accessing and providing maternal care services during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Deep South. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 African American women, 20 Hispanic women, and 9 MCPs between January and August 2022. Participants were recruited from Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics, pediatric clinics, and community health organizations in South Carolina, and all births took place in 2021. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Maternal care utilization and provision were influenced by various factors at different socioecological levels. At the intrapersonal level, women's personal beliefs, fears, concerns, and stress related to COVID-19 had negative impacts on their experiences. Some women resorted to substance use as a coping strategy or home remedy for pregnancy-induced symptoms. At the interpersonal level, family and social networks played a crucial role in accessing care, and the discontinuation of group-based prenatal care had negative consequences. Participants reported a desire for support groups to alleviate the pressures of pregnancy and provide a platform for shared experiences. Language barriers were identified as an obstacle for Hispanic participants. Community-level impacts, such as availability and access to doulas and community health workers, provided essential information and support, but limitations in accessing doula support and implicit bias were also identified. At the institutional level, mandatory pre-admission COVID-19 testing, visitation restrictions, and reduced patient-MCP interactions were women's common concerns. Short staffing and inadequate care due to the impact of COVID-19 on the health care workforce were reported, along with anxiety among MCPs about personal protective equipment availability. MCPs emphasized the quality of care was maintained, with changes primarily attributed to safety protocols rather than a decline in care quality. The pandemic has disrupted maternal care services. To overcome these issues, health facilities should integrate community resources, adopt telehealth, and develop culturally tailored education programs for pregnant and postpartum women. Supporting MCPs with resources will enhance the quality of care and address health disparities in African American and Hispanic women.

Observation of Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment in The Biology Laboratory

This observation aimed to understand the laboratory regulations, assess the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the laboratory, evaluate management practices, examine the completeness of laboratory equipment and materials, and observe the arrangement of laboratory space, equipment, and materials. This research was conducted in the basic biology laboratory at a university in East Kalimantan. The method employed in this research involved interviewing laboratory assistants and observing the laboratory conditions. The observations indicated that Laboratory A and B had complete personal protective equipment. However, there were some differences. For instance, the equipment and materials were complete in Laboratory A, whereas in Laboratory B, they were incomplete because the laboratory was newly built. Another difference was in the usage of the laboratories; Laboratory A was used for practical sessions, seminars, and classroom activities, while Laboratory B was solely utilized for practical exams. For future researchers, it is suggested that laboratories be explored for both practical sessions and classroom activities, rather than just classroom spaces.

Midwives’ experiences with PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Birth in the Time of COVID (BITTOC) study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic resulted in rapid changes aimed at reducing disease transmission in maternity services in Australia. An increase in personal protective equipment (PPE) in the clinical and community setting was a key strategy. There was variation in the type of PPE and when it was to be worn in clincial practice. AimThis paper reports on Australian midwives’ experiences of PPE during the pandemic. MethodsThis sequential mixed methods study was part of the Birth in the Time of COVID-19 (BITTOC 2020) study. Data were obtained from in-depth semi-structured interviews with midwives in 2020 followed by a national survey undertaken at two time points (2020 and 2021). Qualitative open-text survey responses and interview data were analysed using content analysis. Findings16 midwives were interviewed and 687 midwives provided survey responses (2020 n = 477, 2021 n = 210). Whilst midwives largley understood the need for increased PPE, and were mainly happy with this, as it was protective, they reported a number of concerns. These included: inconsistency with PPE type, use, availability, quality, fit and policy; the impact of PPE on the physical and psychological comfort of midwives; and the barriers PPE use placed on communication and woman centred care. This at times resulted in midwives working outside of policy. ConclusionThese findings highlight the need for future comprehensive pandemic preparedness that ensures policy and procedure recommendations are consistent and PPE is available, of approriate quality, and individually fitted in order to ensure that Australian maternity services are well placed to manage future pandemics.

Factors Affecting Compliance with The Use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in Nurses the Inpatient Room of Ananda Bekasi Hospital

Occupational health and safety is a crucial aspect in the hospital environment. Even though there are regulations governing the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by nurses, compliance with its use is still a challenge. This research was conducted at Ananda Bekasi Hospital to understand the factors that influence nurses' compliance in using PPE. Quantitative methods with a cross-sectional approach were used with a sample of 60 nurses from inpatient rooms. Data was obtained through questionnaires, and statistical analysis was carried out using univariate, bivariate and multivariate tests. The results show a significant relationship between work experience, attitudes, knowledge, availability of PPE, supervision, and social support with the use of PPE. The dominant factors influencing the use of PPE are length of service, attitude and social support. The implication is that attention needs to be paid to education, training, better supervision, as well as a supportive culture and attitude to increase compliance with the use of PPE among nurses in hospitals.

Maternal and child health service disruptions due to COVID-19: A WHO health-care worker exposure response and outcomes survey in western Kenya

Background: COVID-19 has disrupted health-care services delivery globally. Limited data exists about personal protective equipment (PPE) availability for health-care workers (HCW) and perceptions of COVID-19 service disruption in low-resource settings. Methods: We used the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes (HERO) Registry Protective Equipment Survey to assess PPE availability and reuse. HCW reported perceptions of client volume changes and time spent on various activities using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from large decreases to large increases. Results: Of the 99 HCW enrolled who completed the HERO survey, 32% were nurses, 21% clinical officers, 16% facility in-charges, among others. Forty percent worked in both maternal and child health and family planning clinics and HCW had an average of 5.3 years (interquartile range: 3.5–10.4) providing care to peripartum women. HCW reported problems procuring multiple forms of PPE, including respiratory masks (71%), face shield/googles (60%), gowns (58%), surgical masks (54%), hand sanitizer (45%), disinfecting products (43%), gloves (40%), and soap (31%). Re-use of N95/KN95 masks was common with 56% of HCW reporting reusing a single mask when attending to all patients and 2% reporting having sufficient masks to use one per patient. HCW reported reduced volume of women seeking services due to COVID-19; nearly two-thirds reported decreases in antenatal (62%) and postnatal clients (66%), as well as decreases in the number of pregnant and postpartum women initiating or continuing pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention (60% and 57%, respectively). HCW reported changes in how their time was spent; 79% spent more time disinfecting spaces between clients and 49% reported increases in responsibilities related to providing psychosocial care. Conclusions: HCW reported a dual burden of PPE shortages and client psychosocial needs, limiting their own protection and adding to workload during the pandemic.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the oncology nurses health behaviors determinants scale: a cross-sectional study.

To test the validity and reliability of the Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale (HBDS-ON) in oncology nurses, the Chinese version was developed. The Brislin double translation-back translation approach was employed to forward translation, back translation, synthesis, cross-cultural adaptation, and pre-survey, resulting in the first Chinese version of the Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale (HBDS-ON). A convenience sample technique was used to select 350 study participants in Liaoning, Shandong, and Jiangsu, China, who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, to assess the validity and reliability of the scale. The Chinese version of the Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale (HBDS-ON) had six subscales (perceived threat, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, and personal protective equipment availability and accessibility), including 29 items. The average scale level was 0.931, and the content validity level of the items varied from 0.857 to 1.000. Each Cronbach's α coefficient had an acceptable internal consistency reliability range of 0.806 to 0.902. X2/df = 1.667, RMSEA = 0.044, RMR = 0.018, CFI = 0.959, NFI = 0.905, TLI = 0.954, and IFI = 0.960 were the model fit outcomes in the validation factor analysis. All of the model fit markers fell within reasonable bounds. The Chinese version of the Oncology Nurses Health Behaviors Determinants Scale (HBDS-ON) has good reliability and validity and can be used as a tool to assess the influencing factors of chemotherapy exposure for oncology nurses in China.

The determinants of mental well-being of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this study, the objective is to understand the causal factors that influence the mental well-being of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, using Karasek’s Job Demand Control Social Model (JDCS) as the research framework. For this purpose the database Eurofound’s Living Working and COVID-19 survey is used; it was carried out using sampling design techniques in all 27 countries of the European Union. A sample of 4626 employees in the health sector is used, and structural equation models are specified to analyze causality. The analysis revealed significant associations between several factors: physical and mental work demands (p < 0.001), availability of personal protective equipment (p = 0.035), support from supervisors (p < 0.001), support from peers (p < 0.001), and age (p < 0.007). These findings, offering valuable insights into understanding and improving the management of health institutions, can serve as a foundation for developing strategies to support and enhance the mental health of healthcare professionals. Ultimately, this benefits both the workforce and the quality of healthcare services provided, particularly in preparing for potential future crises.

Determinants of intention to leave among nurses and physicians in a hospital setting during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has brought to light the profound impact that large-scale disease outbreaks can have on healthcare systems and the dedicated professionals who serve within them. It becomes increasingly important to explore strategies for retaining nurses and physicians within hospital settings during such challenging times. This paper aims to investigate the determinants of retention among nurses and physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review of other potential determinants impacting retention rates during the pandemic was carried out. Secondly, a meta-analysis on the prevalence of intention to leave for nurses and physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive search was performed within four electronic databases on March 17 2023. Fifty-five papers were included in the systematic review, whereas thirty-three papers fulfilled the eligibility criteria for the meta-analysis. The systematic review resulted in six themes of determinants impacting intention to leave: personal characteristics, job demands, employment services, working conditions, work relationships, and organisational culture. The main determinants impacting the intention to leave are the fear of COVID-19, age, experience, burnout symptoms and support. Meta-analysis showed a prevalence of intent to leave the current job of 38% for nurses (95% CI: 26%-51%) and 29% for physicians (95% CI: 21%-39%), whereas intention to leave the profession for nurses 28% (95% CI: 21%-34%) and 24% for physicians (95% CI: 23%-25%). The findings of this paper showed the critical need for hospital managers to address the concerning increase in nurses' and physicians' intentions to leave during the COVID-19 pandemic. This intention to leave is affected by a complex conjunction of multiple determinants, including the fear of COVID-19 and the confidence in and availability of personal protective equipment. Moreover, individual factors like age, experience, burnout symptoms, and support are maintained in this review. Understanding the influence of determinants on retention during the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to formulate prospective strategies for retaining nurses and physicians within hospital settings.

Work ability of school servants and the mediating effects between personal characteristics, work conditions, and sickness absence1.

School servants are professionals involved with cleaning and feeding activities in schools. Exposed to conditions of physical and psychosocial overload at work, they may face situations of morbidity and functional restrictions. To evaluate personal and work characteristics and work ability index (WAI) of school servants in Brazil and test the mediating effect of WAI in the duration of sickness absence. 163 Brazilian school servants participated in this cross-sectional study, that including the self-completion of a sociodemographic questionnaire, information about the Work Environment, the Protocol of Psychosocial Risks at Work's Evaluation, and the Work Ability Index. Also was collected, in a secondary health database, information about sickness absence. A linear regression model was constructed to identify the predictors of the duration of absence, followed by the analysis of mediation with the Path Analysis method. The study found that the WAI partially mediates the relation of the personal characteristics and the work conditions with the duration of absence of the school servants. The predictors included the organizational aspects of work, mental exhaustion, physical damage, health self-evaluation, availability of personal protective equipment, and the need to assume inadequate postures at work. These predictors explained 33% of the duration of absence and 53% of the WAI of these workers. This study indicated that inadequate working conditions and low WAI impact in the sickness absence, increasing by 33% the length of time off work of school servants.

Availability of basic infection control items and personal protection equipment in 7948 health facilities in eight low- and middle-income countries: Evidence from national health system surveys.

Hundreds of millions of people become infected globally every year while seeking care in health facilities that lack basic needs like infection control measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). We aimed to evaluate the availability of infection control items and PPE in eight low- and middle-income countries and identify disparities in the availability of those items. In this study, we combined publicly available nationally representative cross-sectional health system surveys (Service Provision Assessments by the Demographic and Health Survey Programme) conducted in eight countries between 2013 and 2018: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, and Tanzania. The availability of infection control items was evaluated using a list of six items (a waste receptacle, a sharps container, disinfectant, single-use disposable or auto-disposable syringes, soap and running water, or an alcohol-based hand rub, and guidelines for standard precautions). PPE includes four items: gloves, medical masks, gowns, and eye protection. We considered these items available in a facility if they were observed in general outpatient areas or any service-specific area (i.e. delivery room). We analysed data from 7948 health facilities (694 hospitals and 7254 health centres/clinics). Overall, among the infection control items and PPE, most surveyed facilities had high availability of single-use disposable or auto-disposable syringes (91.40%) and latex gloves (92.56%). Of infection control measures, guidelines for infection control were the least available during the survey, with the lowest (6.15%) in Nepal and the highest (68.18%) in Malawi. Of the PPE items, eye protection was the least available during the survey, with the lowest (5.4% in Senegal) and the highest (28.17%) in Haiti. Only 1567 (19.71%) facilities looked to have all the basic infection control materials, and 1023 (12.87%) of the analysed facilities possessed all of the PPE. Within the same country, the availability of items varied more between hospitals and health centres/clinics than between them. All eight of our study countries experience shortages of the most fundamental standard precaution items to avert infection. Steps must be taken in each of these countries to reduce inadequacies and disparities and enhance efficiency in the conversion of health-system inputs into the facility's availability of standard precaution items for infection control - to curb the risk of infectious disease transmission.