Infection Prevention Performance among In-Flight Cabin Crew in South Korea

Abstract

COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic in 2020; thus, preventing in-flight infection transmission is important for stopping global spread via air travel. Infection prevention (IP) performance among aircraft cabin crew is crucial for preventing in-flight transmission. We aimed to identify the level of IP performance and factors affecting IP performance among aircraft cabin crew during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. An online survey was conducted with 177 cabin crew members between August and September 2020. The survey assessed IP performance, and IP awareness, using a five-point Likert scale, and also evaluated simulation-based personal protective equipment (PPE) training experience, and organizational culture. The average IP performance score was 4.56 ± 0.44. Although the performance level for mask-wearing was high (4.73 ± 0.35), hand hygiene (HH) performance (4.47 ± 0.56) was low. Multivariate analysis showed that IP performance was significantly associated with IP awareness (p < 0.05) and simulation-based PPE training experience (p < 0.05). Since HH performance was relatively low, cabin crew and airlines should make efforts to improve HH performance. Furthermore, a high level of IP awareness and PPE training experience can improve IP performance among cabin crew members. Therefore, simulation-based PPE training and strategies to improve IP awareness are essential for preventing in-flight infection transmission.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Anger of the Cabin Crew during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea

“…Finally, this may be due to the in-flight working process. When patients have a suspected infectious disease, the team leader handles them directly or instructs other cabin crew members according to the airline policy [ 8 ].…”

“…The flight-duty schedule was decided on a monthly basis owing to the closure of the airline, but approximately 50% of flight duties were carried out during a quarantine period, which may have caused anger and anxiety. A previous study reported that approximately 11% of Korean cabin crews experienced quarantine because of contact with suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 [ 8 ]. In addition, when a cabin crew stays abroad for flight duty, many countries and airlines require them to not leave the hotel and eat alone in their hotel rooms [ 6 ].…”

“…However, cabin crews are also responsible for passenger safety, such as implementing first aid on the aircraft; therefore, if a passenger is with suspected to have COVID-19 on flight, first aid should be provided by the cabin crew [ 7 ]. Although cabin crew members have a high awareness of and performance in infection prevention activities, they may be insufficient because they are non-medical personnel [ 8 ]. It has been reported that the cabin crew on flights experience a significant increase in levels of depression, stress, and anxiety that they may become infected [ 4 ].…”

Infectious disease control at an international airport: Ebola virus mock drill

“…Proper health education should be given to these contacts regarding the patient to minimize panic and fear of infection control procedures. Furthermore, to reduce the transmission of diseases, health education for cabin crew members is essential (Ryu et al, 2021). The KAIA Preventive Medical Center asks for contacts to be isolated or quarantined during the incubation period and samples are taken from them to exclude infection and provide the necessary medical services to those in need.…”

In-Flight Infection Prevention and Control Training for Cabin Crew in China: A Qualitative Study

“…They have the most contact with passengers of any airline employee and are responsible for the safety of all passengers onboard the aircraft, both sick and healthy. During the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic period, cabin crew were responsible for preventing inflight transmission of the disease by implementing appropriate infection control measures required by airline companies [4,5]. However, cabin crew are not professionals in the infection prevention (IP) field, because they are not medical personnel.…”