Knowledge and Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic during the First Wave (Feb–May 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study among Italian Healthcare Workers

Rizzo, Caterina; Campagna, Ilaria; Pandolfi, Elisabetta; Croci, Ileana; Russo, Luisa; Ciampini, Sara; Gesualdo, Francesco; Tozzi, Alberto Eugenio; Ricotta, Lara; Raponi, Massimiliano; Atti, Marta Luisa Ciofi degli

doi:10.3390/ijerph18073767

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The leading role in shaping public opinion on the risks associated with the pandemic and the necessary protective measures is assumed by health workers [32], including medical students, as one of the main segments of the population who can lead by example in the formation of an active civil attitude of the population for the prevention of infection. According to Italian researchers, healthcare workers have a sufficient level of information regarding the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19, and they actively use measures of nonspecific protection [33]. Earlier, we conducted a pilot study of medical students' knowledge and attitudes to the face mask regime [34], which showed that most respondents were civically responsible, understood the importance of using face masks to protect others, and could actively promote their use to the public.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Respiratory Protection Devices by Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shashina

Makarova

Shcherbakov

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The use of face masks has assumed a leading spot among nonspecific prevention measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The effectiveness of this protective measure depends on the specifics of individual use. The purpose of our study was to analyze the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation of face mask use was based on the results of a survey of medical students at Sechenov University. There were 988 participants in the study: 97.5% used RPE during the pandemic, 89.1% used disposable medical and hygienic face masks, 27.4% used reusable cloth face masks, and 13.2% used respirators. The majority of respondents (75.2%) were found to wear face masks correctly. However, 17.0% of the respondents were found to cover only their mouths with a face mask, while 7.8% reported often shifting their face mask under the chin due to perceived discomfort. Only 25.1% of respondents changed their disposable face mask after 2-3 h of wearing, while 13.0% decontaminated and used it several times. Most cloth face mask users (93.7%) decontaminated their marks, but only 55.7% of respondents did so daily. Face masks were most often worn in medical organizations (91.5%), and 1.4% of respondents did not use respiratory protection anywhere. In conclusion, we consider it necessary to introduce a special module on nonspecific prevention in the discipline of hygiene.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Respiratory Protection Devices by Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shashina

Makarova

Shcherbakov

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Thus, instead of learning new knowledge and skills, care professionals might have utilized previous knowledge and skills in the care to a larger extent than staff in management or coordination positions. To some extent, this is supported by findings from Italy during the first wave in early spring 2020, where care professionals despite the challenges managed to cope with the situation relying on previous knowledge and skills [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Despite not being directly responsible for the clients’ care, from the managers/coordinators perspective, they faced many challenges and demands in their professional roles and tasks, i.e., the demands for crisis management skills were most prominent in this staff category.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Care Home and Home Care Staff’s Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beliefs about Subsequent Changes in the Future: A Survey Study in Sweden, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom

et al. 2022

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The aim of this study was to compare perceptions of learning from the COVID-19 pandemic and beliefs in subsequent changes for the future, among care home and home care staff, in four European countries. A 29-item on-line questionnaire was designed in English and later translated into Swedish, Italian, and German on the impact of the pandemic on stress and anxiety. Anonymous data from care staff respondents was collected in four countries between 07.10.2020 and the 17.12.2020: Sweden (n = 212), Italy (n = 103), Germany (n = 120), and the United Kingdom (n = 167). While care staff in all countries reported learning in multiple areas of care practice, Italy reported the highest levels of learning and the most agreement that changes will occur in the future due to the pandemic. Conversely, care staff in Germany reported low levels of learning and reported the least agreement for change in the future. While the pandemic has strained care home and home care staff practices, our study indicates that much learning of new skills and knowledge has taken place within the workforce. Our study has demonstrated the potential of cross-border collaborations and experiences for enhancing knowledge acquisition in relation to societal challenges and needs. The results could be built upon to improve future health care and care service practices.

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“…On 12 March 2020, shortly after the first confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, a national strategy for the COVID-19 response was developed and restrictive measures (e.g., national lockdown) were implemented; each region and related public health services developed specific plans according to the allocated resources, facing severe difficulties in fighting an unprecedented healthcare emergency [23,24]. HCWs found themselves to be at high risk of infection and of infecting a family member, to be inadequately informed and unprepared to face the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing mental health issues [25,26].…”

Section: The Italian Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Trajectory and Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: A 24 Month Longitudinal Cohort Study

Fattori

Comotti

Mazzaracca

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Background: Research has shown the substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health, however, it mostly relies on data collected during the early stages of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term trajectory of HCWs’ mental health and the associated risk factors. Methods: a longitudinal cohort study was carried out in an Italian hospital. At Time 1 (July 2020–July 2021), 990 HCWs took part in the study and completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)questionnaire. McNemar’s test measured changes in symptoms’ trajectories, and random effects models evaluated risk factors associated with scores above the cut-off. Results: 310 HCWs participated to the follow-up evaluation (Time 2; July 2021–July 2022). At Time 2, scores above cut-offs were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than at Time 1 for all scales (23% vs. 48% for GHQ-12; 11% vs. 25% for IES-R; 15% vs. 23% for GAD-7). Risk factors for psychological impairment were being a nurse (IES-R: OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.71–13.0; GAD-7: OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.44–7.17), a health assistant (IES-R: OR 6.76, 95% CI 1.30–35.1), or having had an infected family member (GHQ-12: OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01–3.83). Compared to Time 1, gender and experience in COVID-19 units lost significance with psychological symptoms. Conclusions: data over more than 24 months from the pandemic onset showed improvement of HCWs’ mental health; our findings suggested the need to tailor and prioritize preventive actions towards healthcare workforce.

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Knowledge and Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic during the First Wave (Feb–May 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study among Italian Healthcare Workers

Cited by 12 publications

References 34 publications

Use of Respiratory Protection Devices by Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Use of Respiratory Protection Devices by Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Care Home and Home Care Staff’s Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beliefs about Subsequent Changes in the Future: A Survey Study in Sweden, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom

Long-Term Trajectory and Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: A 24 Month Longitudinal Cohort Study

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