Safety Practice of Covid-19 Warrior Healthcare Workers Facing the Reality.

Abstract

The world is facing Covid-19 pandemic without any specific therapy against it. So, prevention of this highly contagious disease is still the key to success against it. The Health care workers (HCWs) are playing vital role to reduce death and sufferings. HCWs are at a high risk of getting the infection and the source of transmission in the community. Addressing the pitfalls in safety practice against Covid-19 pandemic and attempt to solve the issues will definitely improve the strength of fighters and overcome the situation. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the status of practice of safety tools toward Corona virus disease-2019 (Covid-19) among healthcare professionals. Findings of this study might be utilized for promulgation of policy and program for upcoming days. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among the adult Bangladeshi healthcare professionals of purposively selected three type of healthcare facilities- a Tertiary level hospital: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University as well as District hospital and Upazila health Complex from highly infected district Narayangonj and low infected district- Brahmanbaria. A number of 241 HCWs were interviewed using semi structured self-administered questionnaire electronically via-email, Facebook Messenger or other social media communication. This study found that a good number (about 14.0%) of the HCWs do not practice frequent hand washing, as defined by at least 3 times during each duty period. Most of the doctors (46.8%) used soap water to disinfectant from Covid-19 which is followed by hexisol (27.9%) and sanitizer (26.5%), whereas more than 55.3% allied health professional used sanitizer for the same purpose which is followed by soap water (29.8%) and hexisol (14.9%). Doctors are more frequent in using all form of disinfectants.more than 90.0% are careful in using their protective equipment and dress. But a significant amount (about 25.0%) of them don't participate in health safety training after the outbreak till the study time. A significant number (30.0%) cannot maintain appropriate quarantine with their family.A significant number of respondents (46.0%) have no home isolation facility. More than 51.0% have no separate donning and doffing room at their workplace. The health care workers serving the Covid-19 diseased patients might be super spreader of this highly contagious disease. Awareness and appropriate safety practice is the burning issue. Organized training regarding protection, supply of safety logistics and strong monitoring are the keys to success to stop spreading of this disease.