Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Introduction: There is worldwide concern over the psycho-emotional impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to elicit HCWs’ perceptions of the adequacy of protective measures in high-risk clinical areas and the factors associated with these perceptions. Methods: This was a c...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Singapore Medical Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.11622/smedj.2021046 |
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| author | Phui-Sze Angie Au-Yong Wee-Ming Peh Frederick Hong-Xiang Koh Li-Ming Teo Siok-Peng Ng Alina Li-Na Tan Aven Shan-Hua Ng Min-Hoe Chew |
| author_facet | Phui-Sze Angie Au-Yong Wee-Ming Peh Frederick Hong-Xiang Koh Li-Ming Teo Siok-Peng Ng Alina Li-Na Tan Aven Shan-Hua Ng Min-Hoe Chew |
| author_sort | Phui-Sze Angie Au-Yong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
There is worldwide concern over the psycho-emotional impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to elicit HCWs’ perceptions of the adequacy of protective measures in high-risk clinical areas and the factors associated with these perceptions.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study conducted in April 2020. An anonymous electronic survey was sent via email to operating theatre (OT) and intensive care unit (ICU) staff of Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.
Results:
Of the 358 eligible participants, 292 (81.6%) responded to the survey. 93.2% of the participants felt that precautionary measures at work were sufficient and 94.9% acknowledged that adequate training was provided. More than 60% of the participants opined that their chances of contracting COVID-19 were moderate to high. Female gender, nursing occupation and duration of service <10 years were significantly associated with increased fear of contracting COVID-19, less control over occupational exposure and lower perceived need to care for COVID-19 patients. Having young children at home did not significantly affect these perceptions. The most important ICU precautions were availability of personal protective equipment outside the rooms of COVID-19 positive patients (95.3%) and having visitor restrictions (95.3%). The most important OT measures were having a dedicated OT for COVID-19 positive patients (91.2%) and having simulation as part of protocol familiarisation (91.7%).
Conclusion:
Overall, there was high confidence in the adequacy of COVID-19 protective measures to prevent healthcare transmission in Singapore. The pandemic had a lower degree of psycho-emotional impact on HCWs here as compared to other countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-084b461c8fc14a11b2e84fdc7ab67357 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0037-5675 2737-5935 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Singapore Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-084b461c8fc14a11b2e84fdc7ab673572025-02-10T05:29:30ZengWolters Kluwer – Medknow PublicationsSingapore Medical Journal0037-56752737-59352022-09-0163951451910.11622/smedj.2021046Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional studyPhui-Sze Angie Au-YongWee-Ming PehFrederick Hong-Xiang KohLi-Ming TeoSiok-Peng NgAlina Li-Na TanAven Shan-Hua NgMin-Hoe ChewIntroduction: There is worldwide concern over the psycho-emotional impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to elicit HCWs’ perceptions of the adequacy of protective measures in high-risk clinical areas and the factors associated with these perceptions. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in April 2020. An anonymous electronic survey was sent via email to operating theatre (OT) and intensive care unit (ICU) staff of Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore. Results: Of the 358 eligible participants, 292 (81.6%) responded to the survey. 93.2% of the participants felt that precautionary measures at work were sufficient and 94.9% acknowledged that adequate training was provided. More than 60% of the participants opined that their chances of contracting COVID-19 were moderate to high. Female gender, nursing occupation and duration of service <10 years were significantly associated with increased fear of contracting COVID-19, less control over occupational exposure and lower perceived need to care for COVID-19 patients. Having young children at home did not significantly affect these perceptions. The most important ICU precautions were availability of personal protective equipment outside the rooms of COVID-19 positive patients (95.3%) and having visitor restrictions (95.3%). The most important OT measures were having a dedicated OT for COVID-19 positive patients (91.2%) and having simulation as part of protocol familiarisation (91.7%). Conclusion: Overall, there was high confidence in the adequacy of COVID-19 protective measures to prevent healthcare transmission in Singapore. The pandemic had a lower degree of psycho-emotional impact on HCWs here as compared to other countries.https://journals.lww.com/10.11622/smedj.2021046covid-19healthcare workerspandemicpersonal protective equipmentpsychological |
| spellingShingle | Phui-Sze Angie Au-Yong Wee-Ming Peh Frederick Hong-Xiang Koh Li-Ming Teo Siok-Peng Ng Alina Li-Na Tan Aven Shan-Hua Ng Min-Hoe Chew Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study Singapore Medical Journal covid-19 healthcare workers pandemic personal protective equipment psychological |
| title | Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | perceptions of healthcare workers in high risk areas of a singapore hospital during covid 19 a cross sectional study |
| topic | covid-19 healthcare workers pandemic personal protective equipment psychological |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.11622/smedj.2021046 |
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