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Abstract：
Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) were compelled to use personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent cross-transmission. One of the most significant challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is the consistent and effective use of PPE to avoid staff exposure and infection. This study aimed to detect and evaluate the adverse effects of PPE and determine the associated risk factors. Methodology This cross-sectional study included 186 randomly selected HCWs at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, from May 2022 to July 2022. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results PPE-related adverse effects were noted among 147 HCWs, with a prevalence of 79.03%. Data analysis showed that factors significantly associated with PPE adverse effects in HCWs were age group 20-40 years (chi-squared (χ2) = 4.119, p = 0.04) and female gender (χ2 = 7.153, p = 0.007). Overall, 30.8% of participants had tested positive while on duty during the pandemic. Similarly, adverse effects were associated with PPE use of more than four hours per day and more than three days per week (χ2 = 5.477, p = 0.02 and χ2 = 6.488, p = 0.01, respectively). The majority of HCWs expressed indentation and pain on the back of the ear (52.7%) and pressure-related injury (39.8%) as adverse effects after wearing masks; skin soaking in sweat (54.83%) due to gloves; profuse sweating due to gown (64.28%); fogging (65.26%) due to googles and face-shield; and discomfort (61.29%). Conclusions The prevalence of adverse effects related to wearing PPE was alarmingly high among HCWs. The major risk factors were age, female sex, and duration of use. Although the majority of healthcare personnel have received vaccinations, the use of PPE has not altered, and severe skin reactions continue to be a global issue with no known solution. To further understand the problem, national data for the impacted healthcare professionals could be helpful. Furthermore, workplace prevention programs are necessary.
摘要：
背景在COVID-19大流行期间，医护人员(HCWs)被迫使用个人防护设备(PPE)来防止交叉传播。应对COVID-19大流行的最重大挑战之一是持续有效地使用个人防护设备以避免工作人员接触和感染。本研究旨在检测和评估PPE的不良反应，并确定相关的危险因素。方法这项横断面研究包括在民用医院随机选择的186名医护人员，Ahmedabad,从2022年5月到2022年7月。使用匿名的自我管理问卷进行数据收集，数据分析采用描述性统计。结果147名HCWs中发现了与PPE相关的不良反应，患病率为79.03%。数据分析显示，与HCWs中PPE不良反应显着相关的因素是20-40岁年龄段（卡方（χ2）=4.119，p=0.04）和女性性别（χ2=7.153，p=0.007）。总的来说,30.8%的参与者在大流行期间值班时检测呈阳性。同样，不良反应与PPE每天使用超过4小时和每周使用超过3天相关(χ2=5.477,p=0.02,χ2=6.488,p=0.01).大多数医护人员在戴口罩后表现出耳背压痕和疼痛（52.7％）和与压力有关的损伤（39.8％），这是由于戴口罩后的不良影响；由于手套而导致皮肤浸汗（54.83％）；由于礼服而大量出汗（64.28％）；由于眼罩和面罩引起的起雾（65.26％）；和不适（61.29％）。结论医护人员中与佩戴PPE相关的不良反应发生率高得惊人。主要危险因素是年龄,女性性别,和使用期限。尽管大多数医护人员都接种了疫苗，个人防护装备的使用没有改变，严重的皮肤反应仍然是一个全球性的问题，没有已知的解决方案。为了进一步理解这个问题，受影响的医疗保健专业人员的国家数据可能会有所帮助。此外，工作场所预防计划是必要的。
