Impact of COVID-19 on Libyan Laboratory Specialists: A CrossSectional Survey

Background and objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health problem. Laboratory professionals are at a higher risk of contracting the disease during the COVID19 pandemic. This study was conducted to examine lab professionals' perceptions and satisfaction with organizational processes during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out on 53 medical laboratory professionals working at laboratories in Tripoli (Libya) between November 2020 and January 2021. Data were collected via face-to-face questionnaire. Responses to questions were scored based on a five-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 2= disagree, 3=neutral, 4=agree and 5=strongly agree). Data were presented as frequency and percentages using the Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: Most participants were female (81.2%) and with less than five years of work experience (39.6%). The majority of respondents (79.3%) had a bachelor’s degree. Most healthcare workers (75.5%) were unaware whether the lab would provide medical care if they were tested positive for COVID-19, while 13.2% of them perceived that they will get free medical care. Owing to social distancing, 20 subjects (37.7%) felt that their social activities have been altered during break time. Only 3.7% of the participants believed that their motivation level decreased due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study provide laboratorians’ perspective in the COVID-19 crisis as well as specific lessons for future unpredicted crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Medical Laboratory Journal is the property of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Deputy of Research & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)