Publication: The prevalence of covid-19 positivity among healthcare workers managing covid-19, its associated factors and adherence to personal protective equipment in Terengganu
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Date
2022
Authors
Ahmad, Sharif
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Abstract
Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) is highly contagious and spread rapidly to affect almost the whole world. Though there are many studies focusing on healthcare workers in Malaysia, there are limited published studies on healthcare workers caring for Covid-19 positive patients or worked in Covid-19 related areas in Terengganu. Therefore, this study objectives is to determine both the prevalence and risk factors associated with Covid-19 positive and compliance to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among healthcare workers caring for Covid-19 patients or work in Covid-19 related areas in Terengganu. Methodology This is a retrospective record review study. All healthcare worker who exposed or worked with Covid-19 patients will be screened for Covid-19. Among them, those who fulfill the criteria of working at Hospital Sultanah Nurzahirah or Hospital Hulu Terengganu from June 2020 to December 2021 are included in the study. They were also given set of validated questionnaires as part of continuous improvement for assessment of compliance to PPE in managing Covid-19 cases. All data already collected, and they will be kept in Infectious Disease Unit HSNZ as hardcopy. Data will be reviewed and extracted into an excel sheet. Results A total of 300 healthcare workers caring for Covid-19 patients or work at Covid-19 related areas at Hospital Sultanah Nurzahirah and Hospital Hulu Terengganu were screened, 260 included in the study while another 40 were excluded due to incomplete form for PPE surveillance. None of the 260 healthcare workers were noted to be positive for Covid-19 PCR. Overall, 187 workers (71.9%) had a 100% self-reported compliance towards all five components of main personal protective equipment (PPE) while facemask recorded the highest rate of all time compliance with 250 workers (96.2%). PPK workers increased the risk of inadequate PPE by 16.68 compared to medical assistant workers (Adjusted OR=16.684; p=0.003). Healthcare workers with a duration of exposure of 2 – 4 weeks increased the risk of inadequate PPE by 3.913 compared to healthcare workers with longer than six weeks (Adjusted OR=3.913; p=0.009). Conclusion Our data showed that no significant risk of getting Covid-19 amongst healthcare worker who provide care to Covid-19 positive patients or work in Covid-19 related areas in Terengganu. This is because none of 260 participants tested to be positive. Personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance is vital in preventing transmission. Out of 260 participants, 187 workers (71.9%) had a 100% self-reported compliance towards all five components of personal protective equipment with highest compliance aspect reported towards facemask with 250 workers (96.2%); better compliance associated with designation and duration of exposure with p-value <0.05.
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Covid-19