Health hazards related to using masks and/or personal protective equipment among physicians working in public hospitals in Dhaka: A cross-sectional study.

Autor: Mahmud R; Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Joy KMNI; Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Rassel MA; Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Monayem FB; Medical officer, Sarkari karmachari Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Datta PK; Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Hossain MS; Research Investigator, Infectious Diseases Division (IDD), icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Hoque MM; Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Habib SMHR; DNCC Dedicated Covid-19 Hospital Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Munna NH; Assistant professor, Department of Neurology, Mugda Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Ahmed M; Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Sayeed SKJB; Department of Neurology, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Rahman M; Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Chowdhury AH; Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Hossain MZ; Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Ahmed KGU; Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Miah MT; Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh., Rahman MM; Department of Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Bangladesh.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: PloS one [PLoS One] 2022 Sep 15; Vol. 17 (9), pp. e0274169. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Sep 15 (Print Publication: 2022).
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274169
Abstrakt: Background: Wearing masks or personal protective equipment (PPE) has become an integral part of the occupational life of physicians due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Most physicians have been developing various health hazards related to the use of different protective gears. This study aimed to determine the burden and spectrum of various health hazards associated with using masks or PPE and their associated risk factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dhaka Medical College from March 01-May 30, 2021, among physicians from different public hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We analyzed the responses of 506 physicians who completed case record forms through Google forms or hard copies.
Findings: The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 35.4 [7.7], and 69.4% were men. Approximately 40% were using full PPE, and 55% were using N-95 masks. A total of 489 (96.6%) patients experienced at least one health hazard. The reported severe health hazards were syncope, severe dyspnea, severe chest pain, and anaphylaxis. Headache, dizziness, mood irritation, chest pain, excessive sweating, panic attack, and permanent facial disfigurement were the minor health hazards reported. Extended periods of work in the COVID-19-unit, reuse of masks, diabetes, obesity, and mental stress were risk factors for dyspnea. The risk factors for headaches were female sex, diabetes, and previous primary headaches. Furthermore, female sex and reusing masks for an extended period (> 6 h) were risk factors for facial disfigurement. The risk factors for excessive sweating were female sex and additional evening office practice for an extended period.
Conclusions: Healthcare workers experienced several occupational hazards after using masks and PPE. Therefore, an appropriate policy is required to reduce such risks.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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