Determining the status of preventive measures and occupational risk factors for COVID-19 disease infection in Hospitals of Tabriz city

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 disease, as a threatening causative agent, unexpectedly became a crisis worldwide during December 2019 and the first three months of 2020, which the World Health Organization has declared as a pandemic disease. During these times, hospitals around the world, as well as in our country, faced many problems and challenges in dealing with COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to examine the status of occupational riskfactors and preventive measures against COVID-19 in Tabriz hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Tabriz hospitals. Using scientific texts, a checklist was designed to examine the status of preventive measures and occupational risk factors of contracting COVID-19. By visiting hospitals in Tabriz city, the status of preventive measures and occupational risk factors of contracting COVID-19 in the hospitals were evaluated. SPSS statistical software and Kruskal Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The checklist of occupational risk factors for contracting COVID-19 included 13 questions. The questions of the preventive measures checklist included three sections: personal protective equipment (11 questions), management control measures (103 questions) and engineering control measures (14 questions). There was no significant difference between public, non-governmental, private and military hospitals in terms of the status of occupational risk factors of COVID-19 (P-value=0.5). The status of carrying out preventive and control measures against Covid-19 in the field of supply and use of personal protective equipment (9.5 ± 1.8), management control (86.4±10.2) and engineering control (9.9±3.3) was favorable in all hospitals. The average of preventive and control measures applied among public, non-governmental, private and military hospitals in the field of supply and use of personal protective equipment (P-value=0.5), management control (P-value=0. 7) and engineering control (P-value=0.7) was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The status of measures to prevent coronavirus infection in all hospitals is favorable. The type of hospital had no effect on the status of occupational riskfactors of contracting Covid-19 and preventive measures of Covid-19. In the field of engineering control measures, it is necessary to strengthen the ventilation system in hospitals.