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Occupational Health of Frontline Healthcare Workers in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Snapshot of Summer 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Suad Ajab

    (Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates)

  • Balázs Ádam

    (Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates)

  • Muna Al Hammadi

    (Tawam Hospital, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates)

  • Najwa Al Bastaki

    (Department of Medical Education and Research, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai P.O. Box 4545, United Arab Emirates)

  • Mohamed Al Junaibi

    (Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 280, United Arab Emirates)

  • Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi

    (Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 280, United Arab Emirates)

  • Mona Hegazi

    (Department of Family Medicine, Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai P.O. Box 505004, United Arab Emirates)

  • Michal Grivna

    (Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
    Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Suhail Kady

    (Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 280, United Arab Emirates)

  • Erik Koornneef

    (Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
    Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 280, United Arab Emirates)

  • Raquel Neves

    (Health Science Faculty, Higher College of Technology Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 25026, United Arab Emirates)

  • António Sousa Uva

    (CHRC, Comprehensive Health Research Center, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Mohamud Sheek-Hussein

    (Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates)

  • Tom Loney

    (College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates)

  • Florentino Serranheira

    (CHRC, Comprehensive Health Research Center, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Marília Silva Paulo

    (Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates
    CHRC, Comprehensive Health Research Center, Nova Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

The study aim was to understand the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study was an online-based, cross-sectional survey during July and August 2020. Participants were eligible from the entire country, and 1290 agreed to participate. The majority of HCWs were females aged 30–39 years old, working as nurses, and 80% considered PPE to be available. Twelve percent of respondents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Half of HCWs considered themselves physically tired (52.2%), reported musculoskeletal pain or discomfort (54.2%), and perceived moderate-to-high levels of burnout on at least one of three burnout domains (52.8%). A quarter of HCWs reported anxiety (26.3%) or depression (28.1%). HCWs reporting not having musculoskeletal pain, having performed physical activity, and higher scores of available PPE reported lower scores of anxiety, depression, and burnout. UAE HCWs experienced more access to PPE and less anxiety, depression, and burnout compared with HCWs in other countries. Study findings can be used by healthcare organizations and policymakers to ensure adequate measures are implemented to maximize the health and wellbeing of HCWs during the current COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Suggested Citation

  • Suad Ajab & Balázs Ádam & Muna Al Hammadi & Najwa Al Bastaki & Mohamed Al Junaibi & Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi & Mona Hegazi & Michal Grivna & Suhail Kady & Erik Koornneef & Raquel Neves & António Sousa U, 2021. "Occupational Health of Frontline Healthcare Workers in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Snapshot of Summer 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11410-:d:668453
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andreea Iulia Socaciu & Razvan Ionut & Maria Barsan & Andreea Petra Ungur & Armand Gabriel Rajnoveanu, 2020. "Burnout in Gastroenterology Unit Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Graziella Orrù & Francesca Marzetti & Ciro Conversano & Guido Vagheggini & Mario Miccoli & Rebecca Ciacchini & Eugenia Panait & Angelo Gemignani, 2021. "Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Alexandros Leontitsis & Abiola Senok & Alawi Alsheikh-Ali & Younus Al Nasser & Tom Loney & Aamena Alshamsi, 2021. "SEAHIR: A Specialized Compartmental Model for COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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