Variables modulating the sense of safety in nurses and midwives facing epidemiological endangerment of COVID-19

• Published in: Medical Science Pulse Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 64 - 72
• Main Authors: Kotowska, Agnieszka, Gawlik, Marta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Opole 2020; Uniwersytet Opolski
• Subjects: Health and medicine and law; epidemiology; viruses; midwifery; work; methods; nurses
• ISSN: 2544-1558; 2544-1620

Background: Nurses and midwives are currently facing new challenges at work related to the epidemiological situation caused by the occurrence of a new SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. An immediate concern during the pandemic is a complete shortage of publications or research concerning safety procedures for the medical staff. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to examine the factors affecting work safety for nursing and midwifery teams, to raise awareness about those risks, and gain the knowledge to minimize occupational risk in the pandemic era. Material and methods: The research group consisted of 550 professionally active nurses and midwives who were interviewed with the use of surveys. The author’s survey questionnaire contained 33 questions, including 13 open and 20 closed ones. Results: The medical staff usually felt safe at work 73.8% of the time (406); however, 7.5% (41) of the respondents always declared that positive feeling. The sense of safety at work in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic decreased to 82.5% (454). Occupational and epidemiological training was attended by 73.45% (404) of the staff. However, only 57.6% (317) of them were instructed on how to proceed with a patient suspected of having a COVID-19 infection, while 42.40% (233) were not. The respondents who did not take part in the training felt less secure more frequently (p<0.05) than the trained ones. The respondents who were provided with increased accessibility to the personal protective equipment (PPE), rarely experienced a decrease in their sense of safety at work. Conclusions: The sense of safety at work among medical staff undoubtedly depends on regular training on health and safety measures during epidemiological crises. Participation in training sessions about the procedures connected with COVID-19 endangerment significantly increases the sense of safety at work. Guaranteeing the accessibility of PPE daily also substantially influences the feeling of security among the active medical staff who face increased danger from COVID-19 transmission.