ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used by health care workers to protect themselves and patients from various exposures such as infectious agents. However, the wearing of this equipment is not always optimal, especially in an epidemic context of COVID-19 transmission. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study, in the specific context of COVID-19, is to contribute to the improvement of PPE wearing practices by health workers. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2020 at the Charles De Gaulle Pediatric University Hospital in Burkina Faso. All health workers in the care units and the laboratory were included. Data were collected using an observation grid during the first situation indicating the wearing of PPE. The assessment of the indications for wearing PPE was based on the recommendations of the French Society of Hospital Hygiene and on the technical guide for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in Burkina Faso. RESULTS: Out of 350 targeted agents, 296 were observed. Gowns, masks and gloves were worn in 95.60%, 96.58% and 97.63% of cases respectively. However, PPE such as goggles (1.56%), apron (11.54%), and tunic and pants (46.28%) were poorly used during medical care. CONCLUSION: The practices of health workers with regard to the wearing of certain PPE are still insufficient. A training and awareness program on PPE should be considered to improve patient and staff safety.
Introduction: Les équipements de protection individuelle (EPI) sont utilisés par le personnel de santé dans le cadre des soins pour se protéger et protéger les patients contre les expositions diverses telles que les agents infectieux. Toutefois, le port de ces équipements n'est pas toujours optimal, surtout dans un contexte épidémique de transmission de la COVID-19. But de l'étude: La présente étude vise, dans le contexte spécifique de la COVID-19, à contribuer à l'amélioration des pratiques de port des EPI des agents de santé. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale descriptive conduite en 2020 au centre hospitalier universitaire pédiatrique Charles-de-Gaulle du Burkina Faso. Tous les agents de santé des unités de soins et du laboratoire ont été inclus. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen d'une grille d'observation lors de la première situation indiquant le port d'un EPI. L'appréciation des indications de port des EPI s'est basée sur les recommandations de la Société française d'hygiène hospitalière et sur le Guide technique de prévention et contrôle des infections associées aux soins au Burkina Faso. Résultats: Sur 350 agents ciblés, 296 ont été observés. Le port de la blouse, du masque et des gants était observé respectivement dans 95,60 %, 96,58 % et 97,63 % des cas. Cependant, les EPI tels que les lunettes de protection (1,56 %), le tablier (11,54 %) et la tenue professionnelle composée d'une tunique et d'un pantalon (46,28 %) étaient faiblement utilisés lors des soins médicaux. Conclusion: Les pratiques des agents de santé vis-à-vis du port de certains EPI restent insuffisantes. Un programme de formation et de sensibilisation sur les EPI doit être envisagé afin de renforcer la sécurité des patients et du personnel.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Burkina Faso , Personal Protective Equipment , Health Personnel , HospitalsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perceived effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown measures on food availability, accessibility, dietary practices and strategies used by participants to cope with these measures. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional multi-country online survey between May and July 2020. We used a study-specific questionnaire mainly based on the adaptation of questions to assess food security and coping strategies from the World Food Programme's 'Emergency Food Security Assessment' and 'The Coping Strategy Index'. SETTING: The questionnaire was hosted online using Google Forms and shared using social media platforms. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1075 adult participants from eighty-two countries completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: As a prelude to COVID-19 lockdowns, 62·7 % of the participants reported to have stockpiled food, mainly cereals (59·5 % of the respondents) and legumes (48·8 %). An increase in the prices of staples, such as cereals and legumes, was widely reported. Price increases have been identified as an obstacle to food acquisition by 32·7 % of participants. Participants reported having lesser variety (50·4 %), quality (30·2 %) and quantity (39·2 %) of foods, with disparities across regions. Vulnerable groups were reported to be facing some struggle to acquire adequate food, especially people with chronic diseases (20·2 %), the elderly (17·3 %) and children (14·5 %). To cope with the situation, participants mostly relied on less preferred foods (49 %), reduced portion sizes (30 %) and/or reduced the number of meals (25·7 %). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted food accessibility and availability, altered dietary practices and worsened the food insecurity situation, particularly in the most fragile regions.