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During the COVID-19 pandemic, longstanding issues involving nursing work, which has always involved significant risks of illness and infection, were intensified. It is necessary to acknowledge the risks and nurses' perceptions about the risks qualitatively during the period of the health crisis. The aim of this study was to examine the health repercussions perceived by nursing workers in emergency services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The settings of the study were emergency services with a national scope; the participants were nursing workers. Data were collected via face-to-face virtual calling interviews and analyzed via a content analysis technique, which was supported by IRAMUTEQ software. The formation of textual classes pointed in three thematic directions, from which three categories emerged: nursing workers' exposure, due to a lack of protective equipment, to the risk of being contaminated with, falling ill from, and transmitting the COVID-19 virus; changes in work environments, processes, and relations in response to the pandemic; and physical, mental, and psychosocial alterations perceived by emergency service nursing workers. The exposure to the virus, risk of contamination, and changes in the work environment and relations all resulted in health repercussions, which were perceived as physical, mental, and psychosocial alterations that were described as dietary disturbances, physical fatigue, burnout, increased smoking, anxiety, sleep alterations, fear, exhaustion, stress, social isolation, loneliness, distancing from relatives, and social stigma.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Personnel/psychology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Objetivo evaluar indicadores de sufrimiento y placer en trabajadores de la salud en la primera línea de atención de casos sospechosos o confirmados de COVID-19. Método estudio exploratorio, analítico, transversal con enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra estudiada estuvo conformada por 437 profesionales de la salud invitados por medios electrónicos, que respondieron el cuestionario sobre información sociodemográfica, aspectos ocupacionales y condiciones clínicas. Se consideraron como resultados el sufrimiento y el placer en el trabajo, que fueron analizados con regresión logística multinomial en cuanto a las variables independientes asociadas. Resultados la mayoría de los participantes era de sexo femenino (71,0%), enfermera (55,6%), tenía una jornada laboral semanal de 40 horas o más (75,8%);el 61,6% de los participantes presentaban sufrimiento mental. En cuanto a las características psicosociales del trabajo, los participantes lo consideraron de alta exigencia y bajo apoyo social, 23,8% y 52,9% respectivamente. En el análisis múltiple, la angustia y la falta de placer en el trabajo se asociaron con una alta exigencia laboral, poco apoyo de los compañeros de trabajo y sufrimiento mental. La profesión también está asociada al sufrimiento en el trabajo. Conclusión el sufrimiento y la falta de placer en el trabajo se asocian con características ocupacionales y el agotamiento mental en los trabajadores de la salud en el escenario del COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Objective to evaluate distress and pleasure indicators in health care workers on the front line of care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. Method an exploratory, analytical and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The studied sample consisted of 437 health professionals invited by electronic means, who answered the questionnaire on sociodemographic information, occupational aspects and clinical conditions. Distress and pleasure at work were considered as outcomes, which were analyzed with multinomial logistic regression regarding the associated independent variables. Results Most of the participants were female (71.0%), nurses (55.6%), with a weekly working shift of 40 hours or more (75.8%);61.6% of the participants suffered from mental distress. The psychosocial characteristics of high-strain work and low social support were reported by 23.8% and 52.9% of the participants, respectively. In the multiple analysis, distress and lack of pleasure at work were associated with high job strain, low support from co-workers and mental distress. The profession is also associated with distress at work. Conclusion distress and lack of pleasure at work are associated with occupational characteristics and mental strain among health care workers in the COVID-19 scenario.
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OBJECTIVE: to evaluate distress and pleasure indicators in health care workers on the front line of care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. METHOD: an exploratory, analytical and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The studied sample consisted of 437 health professionals invited by electronic means, who answered the questionnaire on sociodemographic information, occupational aspects and clinical conditions. Distress and pleasure at work were considered as outcomes, which were analyzed with multinomial logistic regression regarding the associated independent variables. RESULTS: Most of the participants were female (71.0%), nurses (55.6%), with a weekly working shift of 40 hours or more (75.8%); 61.6% of the participants suffered from mental distress. The psychosocial characteristics of high-strain work and low social support were reported by 23.8% and 52.9% of the participants, respectively. In the multiple analysis, distress and lack of pleasure at work were associated with high job strain, low support from co-workers and mental distress. The profession is also associated with distress at work. CONCLUSION: distress and lack of pleasure at work are associated with occupational characteristics and mental strain among health care workers in the COVID-19 scenario.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Personnel , Humans , Male , Pleasure , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological/psychologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe actions taken by the organizational management of an emergency service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, determined according to the prevalence of cases of infection by the coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and flu-like illnesses. METHODS: Experience report based on a retrospective analysis of the attention for respiratory syndromes in the first semester of 2019 and 2020, in addition to an analysis of documents from the institutional protocols of a federal emergency service.Development: An increase in the number of attendances was observed, representing 7.25% and 19.4% of cases in 2019 and 2020, respectively. This was due to the creation of the Crisis Office, including a multidisciplinary team created to elaborate the plan of action, changes in the physical structure and in the work processes, and training sessions. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It became clear that the planning, coordination of actions based on the decisions of the Crisis Office, and the dissemination of reliable information, taking into consideration a focal point, were essential for the organization, management of the emergency service, and protection to the workers.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Emergency Service, Hospital , Pandemics , Decision Making , Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Hospitals , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Resource Allocation , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the factors associated with mental distress among health workers who cared for patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods A cross-sectional analytical study of national scope, carried out between in the second quarter of 2020. A total of 437 health professionals, who filled out an electronic form about sociodemographic data, occupational aspects, psychosocial characteristics of work and mental distress. Multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze the covariables associated with mental distress. Results There was a predominance of workers on the nursing team (65.0%), female (71.0%), from Southeastern region of the country (68.6%) and with no morbidities (36.2%). The prevalence of mental distress was 61.6%. Job strain was reported by 24% of participants, and the perception of low support from coworkers was described by 52.9%. The final multiple regression model showed that mental distress was associated with females (odds ratio - OR: 1.93;95%CI: 1.22-3.07), age up to 40 years (OR: 1.64;95%CI: 1.07-2.52), weekly working hours equal or over 60 hours (OR: 1.87;95%CI: 1.15-3.11), job strain (OR: 2.45;95%CI: 1.41-4.40) and low support from co-workers (OR: 3.47;95%CI: 2.26-5.38). Conclusion Six out of ten participants presented mental distress, which was associated to both individual characteristics and factors related to the work carried out during the pandemic. There is an urgent need to map services that have such characteristics, to outline actions to promote mental health and prevent emotional distress at different levels of health care.
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IntroductionCOVID-19 pandemic changed healthcare routines and increased occupational stress among workers.ObjectivesTo analyze the factors associated with mental suffering among frontline healthcare workers (HCW).MethodsNational cross-sectional study carried out in May-June 2020 in Brazil. Participants were invited through social media to fill a questionnaire about sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical data. The Swedish Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire was applied to characterize the work psychosocial context. The World Health Organization´ Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to evaluated the mental suffering. A multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze factors associated to the outcome.ResultsData were obtained from 437 workers;their average age was 38.4 years (sd±10.0). Most of them were from nursing team (65.0%), female (71.0%) and working in public services (70.1%). Job strain was reported from 23.8% and 52.9% indicated low social support. The overall prevalence of mental suffering was 61.6% and associated factors were: : females (odds ratio - OR 1.93;95% confidence interval - 95% CI 1.22–3.07), age < 40 years (OR 1.64;95% CI 1.07–2.52), weekly workload ≥ 60 hours (OR 1.87;95% CI 1.15–3.11), job strain (OR 2.45;95% CI 1.41–4.40) and low social support at work (OR 3.47;95% CI 2.26–5.38).ConclusionIndividual characteristics and occupational aspects are associated to the suffering in this Brazilian sample of healthcare workers. Policies to improve occupational psychosocial conditions are needed in order to reduce negative mental outcomes, in special during COVID-19 pandemic.
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OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of testing among health workers providing care for suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19. METHODS: This quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2020, using a convenience sample. An online questionnaire was used for collecting sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical data, which were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: In total, 437 health workers participated in the study, with a predominance of nursing workers (58.68%), women (70.3%), age between 30 and 49 years (54.2%), individuals living in the Southeast region of Brazil (60.54%), working in the public care system (69.11%), and focused on primary care (30.89%). Among the participants, 36% reported comorbidities, 21.1% had symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, and only 27% had undergone some type of COVID-19 testing. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of risk comorbidities and symptoms suggestive of contamination, the frequency of testing was below one third among respondents. The lack of action compromises health surveillance and protection strategies for workers providing care for the population and may favor the contamination of new patients and the community.
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RESUMO Objetivo descrever as principais recomendações sobre ações de prevenção de contágio relacionadas à exposição ocupacional dos profissionais de saúde atuantes frente à COVID-19, disponíveis até março de 2020. Conteúdo A atual pandemia da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 tem transmissão favorecida pelo contato próximo e desprotegido com secreções ou excreções de pacientes infectados, principalmente por meio de gotículas salivares. Práticas organizacionais de prevenção devem ser previstas antes da chegada do paciente ao serviço de saúde, reduzindo o fluxo de atendimento, no primeiro atendimento e durante as ações assistenciais, para minimizar a exposição ocupacional ao agente biológico. Profissionais de saúde classificados como grupo de risco devem ser afastados de atividades de risco de contaminação. Aqueles contaminados ou adoecidos devem permanecer em quarentena para minimizar a propagação da COVID-19. Considerações finais os cuidados para prevenção de contaminação de trabalhadores nesta pandemia pelo novo coronavírus devem ser priorizados, evitando impactos negativos na assistência à população que busca atendimento nos serviços de saúde. RESUMEN Objetivo describir las principales acciones recomendadas sobre acciones de prevención relacionadas con la exposición ocupacional de los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en COVID-19, disponible hasta marzo de 2020. Contenido La enfermedad pandémica actual causada por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 tiene su transmisión favorecida por contacto cercano y sin protección con secreciones o excreciones de pacientes infectados, principalmente a través de gotas salivales. Se deben priorizar las prácticas de prevención organizacional, desde la llegada del paciente al servicio de salud, optimizando el flujo de atención, la primera atención y durante las acciones de atención de salud, para minimizar la exposición ocupacional al agente biológico. Los profesionales de la salud clasificados como grupo de riesgo deben ser retirados de las actividades en riesgo de contaminación. Las personas contaminadas o adulteradas deben permanecer en cuarentena para minimizar la propagación de COVID-19. Consideraciones finales se debe priorizar la atención para evitar la contaminación de los trabajadores en esta pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus, evitando que afecte la asistencia a la población que busca asistencia en los servicios de salud. ABSTRACT Objective to describe the main recommended actions on prevention actions related to occupational exposure of health professionals working at COVID-19, available until March 2020. Content The current pandemic disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has its transmission favored by close and unprotected contact with secretions or excretions from infected patients, mainly through salivary droplets. Organizational prevention practices should be prioritized, since patient's arrival at the health service, optimizing the flow of care, the first care and during health care actions, to minimize occupational exposure to the biological agent. Health professionals classified as a risk group should be removed from activities at risk of contamination. Those contaminated or adulterated must remain in quarantine to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Final considerations care to avoid contamination of workers in this pandemic by the new coronavirus must be prioritized, prevented from affecting the assistance to the population that seeks assistance in health services.
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Objetivo: descrever as principais recomendações sobre ações de prevenção de contágio relacionadas à exposição ocupacional dos profissionais de saúde atuantes frente à COVID-19, disponíveis até março de 2020. Conteúdo: A atual pandemia da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 tem transmissão favorecida pelo contato próximo e desprotegido com secreções ou excreções de pacientes infectados, principalmente por meio de gotículas salivares. Práticas organizacionais de prevenção devem ser previstas antes da chegada do paciente ao serviço de saúde, reduzindo o fluxo de atendimento, no primeiro atendimento e durante as ações assistenciais, para minimizar a exposição ocupacional ao agente biológico. Profissionais de saúde classificados como grupo de risco devem ser afastados de atividades de risco de contaminação. Aqueles contaminados ou adoecidos devem permanecer em quarentena para minimizar a propagação da COVID-19. Considerações finais: os cuidados para prevenção de contaminação de trabalhadores nesta pandemia pelo novo coronavírus devem ser priorizados, evitando impactos negativos na assistência à população que busca atendimento nos serviços de saúde. Objective: to describe the main recommended actions on prevention actions related to occupational exposure of health professionals working at COVID-19, available until March 2020. Content: The current pandemic disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has its transmission favored by close and unprotected contact with secretions or excretions from infected patients, mainly through salivary droplets. Organizational prevention practices should be prioritized, since patient's arrival at the health service, optimizing the flow of care, the first care and during health care actions, to minimize occupational exposure to the biological agent. Health professionals classified as a risk group should be removed from activities at risk of contamination. Those contaminated or adulterated must remain in quarantine to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Final considerations: care to avoid contamination of workers in this pandemic by the new coronavirus must be prioritized, prevented from affecting the assistance to the population that seeks assistance in health services. Objetivo: describir las principales acciones recomendadas sobre acciones de prevención relacionadas con la exposición ocupacional de los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en COVID-19, disponible hasta marzo de 2020. Contenido: La enfermedad pandémica actual causada por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 tiene su transmisión favorecida por contacto cercano y sin protección con secreciones o excreciones de pacientes infectados, principalmente a través de gotas salivales. Se deben priorizar las prácticas de prevención organizacional, desde la llegada del paciente al servicio de salud, optimizando el flujo de atención, la primera atención y durante las acciones de atención de salud, para minimizar la exposición ocupacional al agente biológico. Los profesionales de la salud clasificados como grupo de riesgo deben ser retirados de las actividades en riesgo de contaminación. Las personas contaminadas o adulteradas deben permanecer en cuarentena para minimizar la propagación de COVID-19. Consideraciones finales: se debe priorizar la atención para evitar la contaminación de los trabajadores en esta pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus, evitando que afecte la asistencia a la población que busca asistencia en los servicios de salud.