Impact of breast cancer awareness sessions amongst healthcare workers in a Tertiary Care Centre in Mumbai- a Pre-Post Study

Background: Breast cancer awareness sessions for HCW play a vital role in improving knowledge of general population as they are the first reference of contact. It increases screening uptake and hence prognosis. Materials and Methods: It is a pre-post study where analysis of the data filled in Google forms by 100 participants attending the breast awareness sessions was done. Results: Knowledge of all participants had improved post sessions regarding BC and also it’s certain aspects of management. Conclusion: Such awareness sessions are very effective in increasing the screening uptake of general population.

Personal Protective Equipment Associated Symptoms amongst Frontline Health Care Workers in COVID-19 Pandemic � A Cross Sectional Study

Context : During COVID-19 Pandemic, frontline Health Care Worker (HCW) in hospitals were mandated to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), while caring for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, which involved the donning of close-fitting N95 Face Masks, Protective Eyewear, Gowns, Surgical Gloves and the use of Powered AirPurifying Respirators (PAPR). Aims : This study is to know the challenges faced during use of PPE among frontline HCW. Methods and Material : This is a cross-sectional study among HCW at our Tertiary Institution who were working in high-risk hospital areas during COVID-19. All respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire Statistical analysis used : Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Baseline characteristics were described using frequency and percentages. Association between predictors of PPE associated symptoms were assessed using Chi-square test with p-value of <0.05 considered as significant. Results : Total of 190 Health Care Workers participated in the study. Doctors- contributed most [143/189 (75.2%)]. Majority of the respondents reported usage of Masks, Eyewear, Shield and Gown [126/189 (66.7%)], in which most of them donned N-95 mask [152/189(80.5%)], and Goggles [110/189 (58.2%)] average for 6.32 (2.40) hours a day and 18.15(8.65) days in a month. 83 respondents reported a new onset headache associated with usage of PPE. Majority of the respondents localized Headaches as frontal (69.9%) which was statistically significant. Other symptoms were Tiredness (73.5%), Excess Sweating (45.4%) and Giddiness (20.6%). Conclusions : Prevalence and characteristics of PPE- associated symptoms in HCW working in high-risk areas in Tertiary Care Centers necessitates better measures and strategies for designing PPE and reducing the exposure time in HCW and also the impact on their work performance

Prevalence of depression in healthcare workers of a COVID-19 First Line Treatment Centre in North Kerala

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a widespread impact over the health-care system all over the world. This had resulted in varying degrees of psychological issues on healthcare workers. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of depression among healthcare workers of a COVID-19 first line treatment center (CFLTC). Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 240 healthcare workers who volunteered for the study at COVID first line treatment centre-3 NIT mega boys’ hostel, Kozhikode, Kerala were recruited. They were interviewed, basic demographic data and patient health questionnaire-9 was administered. The data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel. The prevalence among various categories of healthcare workers were compared. Results: The prevalence of depression among healthcare workers was 52%. The prevalence of depression is each category of staff-doctors, staff nurses, cleaning staffs, and patient caretakers-separately. It was found that depression is inversely proportional to the knowledge, experience, medical qualification, and training. Conclusion: The prevalence of undetected depression is high among healthcare workers working in unconventional environment as in warfront situations such as COVID pandemic. The present study emphasizes the importance of proper screening of depression among healthcare workers in such circumstances in years to come.

NEEDLE STICK INJURY AND POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS FOR HIV AND HBV – A KAP STUDY AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Needle stick injuries (NSI) are occupational injuries in Health Care Workers (HCWs) on using sharps. Though there are more than 20 pathogens transmitted through NSI, human immune de?ciency virus (HIV), hepatitis B & C virus (HBV&HCV)[1] are of signi?cance due to grave complications and minimum available preventive measures. According to WHO, nearly 40% of HBV and 2.5% of HIV infections among HCWs is attributed to NSI[2]. The occurrence of NSI can be reduced if Standard Work Precautions are strictly adhered by all HCWs at all times and also by taking Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV & HBV within the golden period of 2 hour. This study is done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of HCWs of various categories on NSI and PEP. A Self structured questionnaire was administered to the study population (n=307) including Post graduates, Interns, Staff nurses, Nursing students , Lab technicians, Lab technical students. There was 10 questions under three sections.1) KNOWLEDGE 2) ATTITUDE 3) PRACTICE . This study revealed that knowledge regarding transmission of all three viruses (HIV,HBV,HCV) was less among paramedics compared to medicos, but the practice of HBV vaccination is the same. 53.1% of HCWs had NSI in our study. Majority incurred NSI during recapping needles. Attitude of HCW after being exposed to report NSI is very low (30.7%). Though 37.5% of the respondents not aware of golden hour of PEP, most of them aware of initiating PEP within 72 hours of exposure . Applying disinfectants/pressure over exposed area (38.9%) & recapping (31.6%) is still prevalent among study population. And 20 % of the HCWs were not vaccinated against Hepatitis B yet.

Mental health outcomes among health care workers exposed to COVID-19 in a tertiary government hospital

BACKGROUND@#The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Is a major health crisis that affected 32 million people to date and caused death to 990,000 individuals. The impact of this pandemic on the healthcare system took its toll especially to the healthcare workers and its effect on their physical and mental health. We aim to assess severity of generalized anxiety, depression and subjective distress among medical, allied and ancillary healthcare workers (HCWs) who handled COVID-19 patients.@*METHODOLOGY@#This is a cross sectional, survey based study done from Julyl to August 31, 2020 involving healthcare workers who handled COVID-19 patients in a tertiary hospital in Pangasinan. The selfadministered questionnaires used were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder- 7 for generalized anxiety, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) for subjective distress.@*RESULTS@#A total of 417 of 450 contacted individuals completed the survey, with a participation rate of 92.67%. Majority were women (64.57%) and 53.24% were aged 19 to 30 years old. Sixty percent of the respondents were nurses, 25.9% were physicians and the rest were composed of medical technologists (6.47%), radiologic technologists (5 .52%) and respiratory therapists (1.68%). Subjective distress was noted to be present in 253 (60.67%) healthcare workers followed by anxiety 224 (53. 72%) and depression 184 (44.12%). Allied health professionals and male participants experienced anxiety the most as well as subjective distress. Depression was more severe among physicians (2 [1.85%1) and women (3 [1 .1 %1). Physicians and allied health professionals reported more severe degrees of mental health symptoms compared to nurses.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, a significant proportion of HCWs especially physicians and allied health professionals involved in handling and treating suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients experienced generalized anxiety, depression and distress.

Interventions to Reduce HIV-related Stigma in the Healthcare Settings: A Scoping Systematic Review

@#HIV-related stigma will discourage the efforts in preventing new infections and engaging people to receive treatment, care and support programmes. Identifying the valuable interventions programmes to reduce HIV-related stigma in a healthcare setting is vital in order to deliver the best health services. A scoping systematic review was conducted. Articles were searched based on Pubmed and ScienceDirect search engines. The key words used were HIV stigma, intervention and healthcare. Published English articles in the past ten years involving HIV stigma intervention studies, and studies that involved healthcare workers in a healthcare setting were included. Reviewed articles, systematic review and meta-analysis articles were excluded. Primary screening of titles and abstract of 85 articles were done. Secondary screening of 19 articles resulted in 8 articles, included in this manuscript. Most of the reviewed articles showed, application of the Integrated Theoretical Model in the intervention programme as a guide and utilising combined intervention components are effective tools in delivering the intervention programme. The stigma reduction-intervention programme should focus on the intervention components as a whole including training of HCW, role plays, group discussions, games, sharing of information and contacts with PLHIV as well presentations and lectures. An integrative model of behavioural prophecy is perceived and it is particularly essential for interventions that focus on creating and fortifying the aim in conducting the chosen behaviour.

Knowledge and risk perception regarding HIV among healthcare workers in a medical college hospital.

Background: Ever since HIV was first identified in India among sex workers in Chennai during 1986, HIV infections have been reported in all states and territories. The knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) in relation to HIV infection is an important factor influencing the willingness and ability of people with HIV to access care, and the quality of the care they receive. Aims & Objective: To assess HIV-related knowledge and risk perception among a group of north Indian health care workers (HCW), and to identify predictors of willingness to provide care for patients with HIV infection. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 450 HCWs from tertiary health care centre was undertaken in March 2011. The information was collected on a semi structured, self-administered questionnaire. Information was gathered regarding demographic details, HIV-related knowledge, risk perception and previous experience caring for HIV-positive patients. Results: Most (95.7%) were aware of the routes of transmission. 4.1% HCWs wished that they should be allowed to refuse to care for people with HIV/AIDS. HCWs willingness to provide care for patients with HIV was strongly associated with having previously cared for patients with HIV (P = 0.001). Knowledge of HIV transmission and perception of risk were not associated with willingness to provide care (p<0.05). Conclusion: The knowledge of HCW was satisfactory. But periodic updates are required to enhance the knowledge of HCW. These include the development of programmes to promote occupational safety of HCWs and involving people with HIV in awareness training of HCWs.

Awareness of healthcare workers regarding Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) at Tertiary Care Government Hospital in Dhule (Maharashtra).

Background and objectives: Biomedical waste has been a growing concern due to increased awareness in public regarding HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and exposure to other potential infectious diseases. Good BMW disposal practices lead to reduction in medical expenditure, unsightly scenes at various disposal bins and dumping sites. Improper biomedical waste management practices and indiscriminate disposal of hospital waste causes spread of illness leading to financial burden to society. The money saved by reduction in hospital acquired infections is much more than spent on control of hospital acquired infections. Therefore it is necessary to educate the staff, patients and community about the management of the infectious waste. The present study was designed to assess the awareness regarding biomedical waste in health care workers at a tertiary care Government hospital, Dhule (Maharashtra). Methods: Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College and Hospital is a 545 bedded tertiary care teaching Government hospital situated in rural area of Maharashtra at Dhule where per day approximately 90 Kg biomedical waste is generated .The present cross-sectional study was conducted during 1st August 2011 to 30th September 2011. Knowledge and practices about BMW was assessed among 153 health care workers (81 nursing staff, 35 laboratory technicians and 37 sweepers) handling BMW in the tertiary care Government hospital at Dhule. Results: It was found that only 70.6% of the health care workers were aware of biomedical waste management and 50.3 % had undergone training. 72.5 % of the health care workers were aware of 3 color coded bags used for collection of BMW. In the study only 41.8% of the workers were vaccinated against shepatitis B and 81.7% had received tetanus toxoid vaccine. Conclusion: For proper handling and disposal of BMW, all health care providers must undergo regular training in BMW management.

Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Nasal carrier in Health Care Workers.

Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, nosocomial outbreaks of methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major infection control problem. Colonized employees are generally asymptomatic; they are a potential reservoir and disseminator of MRSA in hospitals. Nasal screening of health care workers (HCW) for MRSA is performed routinely in several countries, typically when more than one MRSA – colonized patient is identified in high risk ward, such as intensive care unit (ICU). This study was performed at PSG Hospitals to assess the prevalence of MRSA nasal colonization in health care workers and their sensitivity pattern. The prevalence of MRSA carriage among HCW’s was quite low (3.3%) in our institution. It has been recommended that, in case of epidemic in the hospital, all health care workers should be examined for MRSA colonization.