ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the perception of possible infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and associated complications according to the labor sector in Peru. Methods: We performed an observational, cross sectional, and secondary data analysis. The study had three dependent variables that were obtained from a locally validated questionnaire, in which it is asked whether the professionals had the perception that they could be infected with SARS-CoV-2 at work, or could transmit the virus to their family/friends, and regarding the possibility of complications related to the infection. Results: Of the 2843 workers participating in the study, those in the health sector perceived that they were more likely to be infected at work. In the multivariate analysis, adjusted for four variables, health sector workers also perceived that they could be infected more frequently at work (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.74;95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-2.15;p <0.001). These professionals, moreover, perceived that they could transmit the virus to their family/friends (aPR: 0.76;95% CI: 0.63-0.92;p = 0.005) or that there would be complications resulting from the infection (aPR: 0.59;95% CI: 0.48-0.73;p <0.001). On the other hand, engineering sector workers were the ones who had a greater perception that they could infect their family/friends (aPR: 1.95;95% CI: 1.20-3.20;p = 0.007), while workers from other sectors perceived that they could have more chances of complications from the infection (aPR: 1.17;95% CI: 1.05-1.30;p = 0.006). Conclusion: The health sector may be the most vulnerable in this context, which is why occupational health teams should develop and implement specific surveillance plans to prevent and reduce the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among healthcare workers.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many students are worried that they may lose their academic term. Objective: Validate a scale to measure the perception of possible academic impacts among Peruvian university students. Method: A validation process was conducted of a test measuring the perception of university students about possible academic impacts. The validation was based on a scientific bibliography search, development of a preliminary overview, validation of the test by 59 experts: epidemiologists, researchers and physicians, exploratory factor analysis, and statistical analysis. Results: In terms of relevance, item 7 was found to be more essential or important than the others (V = 1.00;CI 95 %: 0.73-0.96). Item 8 (M = 3.80;σ = 1.152) exhibits the highest mean, and item 6 the lowest (M = 3.03;SD = 1.342). AFE relevance is justified by the KMO index (0.85) and Bartlett's test (12577.0;gl = 28;p = < 0.001), both of which were found to be acceptable and significant. A Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.899 was obtained, with a confidence interval of 95%, SD 0.882-0.898, indicating a good consistency level. Conclusions: A single factor scale was validated which measures the perception of university students about the possible impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on their studies. It is necessary to evaluate each reality, and the tool may serve as a base scale for that purpose. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.