Factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals from university hospitals

Objective: to investigate factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals from university hospitals. Method: a multicenter, mixed approach study with concomitant incorporated strategy, carried out with 559 professionals in the quantitative stage, and 599 in the qualitative stage. Four data collection instruments were used, applied by means of an electronic form. The quantitative analysis was performed with descriptive and inferential statistics and the qualitative data were processed by means of content analysis. Results: the factors associated with the infection were as follows: performance of the RT-PCR test (p<0.001) and units offering care to COVID-19 patients (p=0.028). Having symptoms increased 5.63 times the prevalence of infection and adhering to social distancing most of the time in private life reduced it by 53.9%. The qualitative data evidenced difficulties faced by the professionals: scarcity and low quality of Personal Protective Equipment, work overload, physical distancing at work, inadequate processes and routines and lack of a mass screening and testing policy. Conclusion: the factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals were mostly related to occupational issues.

Fatores associados a infeccao por SARS-CoV-2 entre profissionais da saude de hospitais universitarios*

Objetivo: investigar fatores associados a infeccao por SARS-CoV-2 entre profissionais da saude de hospitais universitarios. Metodo: estudo multicentrico, de abordagem mista com estrategia incorporada concomitante, realizado com 559 profissionais na etapa quantitativa, e 599 na etapa qualitativa. Foram utilizados quatro instrumentos de coleta de dados, aplicados via formulario eletronico. A analise quantitativa foi realizada com estatistica descritiva e inferencial e os dados qualitativos por meio de analise de conteudo. Resultados: os fatores associados a infecao foram: realizacao de teste "RT-PCR" (p<0,001) e unidades com atendimento a pacientes com COVID-19 (p=0,028). Ter sintomas aumentou em 5,63 vezes a prevalencia de infecao e aderir ao distanciamento social na maior parte do tempo na vida particular reduziu em 53,9%. Dados qualitativos evidenciaram dificuldades enfrentadas pelos profissionais: escassez e baixa qualidade de equipamentos de protecao individual, sobrecarga de trabalho, distanciamento fisico no trabalho, processos e rotinas inadequadas e ausencia de uma politica de triagem e testagem em massa. Conclusao: os fatores associados a infeccao por SARS-CoV-2 entre profissionais da saude foram em sua maioria relacionados a questoes ocupacionais.

Fatigue and sleep in intensive care nursing workers in the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To analyze the relationship between fatigue, sleep quality, variables of health and work in intensive care nursing workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional, correlational study conducted from July 2020 to February 2021 with a random and probabilistic sample of nurses and nursing technicians from university hospitals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A sociodemographic/occupational questionnaire, the Fatigue Assessment Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used in data collection. The chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and the Spearman correlation coefficient were used in the analyzes, adopting a significance level of 5%. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Participation of 114 workers. There was prevalence of low fatigue and poor sleep quality. High fatigue was associated with the variables going to work sick and perceiving noise/vibrations as a cause of discomfort. Nursing technicians were associated with poor sleep quality and concern about exposure to chemical substances. Fatigue and sleep quality were moderately and directly correlated. Adjusted analyzes showed that nurses and nursing technicians with high fatigue were four times more likely to have poor sleep quality (OR = 4.86;CI = 1.50-15.75). Conclusion: Fatigue and sleep quality were directly correlated and are associated with individual and work factors. High fatigue increased the chances of having worse sleep quality assessment. Institutional and organizational strategies should be reviewed in order to prioritize the health protection of these nursing workers.