COVID-19, risks and measures: what do workers in a diagnostic laboratory say?
COVID-19 and laboratory workers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5020/18061230.2023.13355Keywords:
Coronavirus infections, Clinical Laboratory Techniques, Occupational Hazards, Worker's healthAbstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of professionals working in a reference laboratory for COVID-19 diagnosis regarding the occupational risks of SARS-CoV-2 contamination and the preventive measures adopted. Methods: A descriptive study with a qualitative approach was conducted in 2020, involving 13 workers from a Northeastern Institute of Tropical Medicine. A semi-structured interview was used as the research instrument, consisting of five guiding questions. The study received approval from the Ethics and Research Committee (Approval No. 4,132,811). The data were analyzed descriptively, using the IRaMuTeQ software (version 0.7 Alpha 2 and R 3.2.3), resulting in six classes. Results: The professionals demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the types of risks they are exposed to and the modes of contamination. Consensus was reached regarding the prevention of contamination and the mitigation of occupational risks through the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Collective Protective Equipment (CPE). It was observed that the potential risk and severity of contamination can directly impact the mental health of the workers, leading to feelings of apprehension, fear, and concern. Conclusion: Factors such as intense work schedules, increased workload, insufficient human resources, haste, fatigue, and physical and mental exhaustion were identified as contributing to an increased risk of contamination. Therefore, further studies in COVID-19 diagnostic settings across different institutions are necessary to propose promising strategies for enhancing the living and working conditions of healthcare professionals.
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