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Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers in Brazil between August and November 2020: A Cross-Sectional Survey

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  • Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela

    (Disease Control Coordination, São Paulo State Health Department, São Paulo 01246-000, Brazil
    Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brazil)

  • Izadora Rodrigues da Cunha

    (School of Medicine, Health Sciences Unit, Federal University of Jataí, Jataí 75801-615, Brazil)

  • Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Michael Obimpeh

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Robert Colebunders

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Stijn Van Hees

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCW) have been subjected to greater workloads. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazilian HCW. Data were collected between 11 August and 1 November 2020. Of the 295 respondents, 95 (32.2%) were medical doctors, 82 (27.8%) administrative staff, 53 (18.0%) nurses, 27 (9.2%) laboratory staff, and 38 (12.9%) were other staff. COVID-19-related restructuring at the health facilities was reported by 207 (70.2%) respondents, and 69 (23.4%) had their tasks changed. Preventive measures were well respected when seeing suspected patients. Overall, 167 (56.6%) HCW screened positive for anxiety and 137 (46.4%) for depression; 109 (36.9%) screened positive for both conditions. Of the 217 (73.6%) HCW who had been tested for COVID-19, at least one positive result was reported in 49 (22.6%). Following a positive COVID-19 test, 45/49 (91.8%) stopped working and stayed home. In conclusion, we found a high incidence of COVID-19 infection among Brazilian HCW with high rates of anxiety and depression despite a good self-reported adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. As such, our study highlights the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the psychosocial risks HCW in Brazil encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela & Izadora Rodrigues da Cunha & Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo & Michael Obimpeh & Robert Colebunders & Stijn Van Hees, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers in Brazil between August and November 2020: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6511-:d:576311
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    References listed on IDEAS

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