Perceived barriers to the practice of preventive measures for COVID-19 pandemic among health professionals in public health facilities of the Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background Novel coronavirus is a global pandemic and killed many individuals, including health care professionals. It caused stress on the health care system of all countries. Presently, studies are emerging regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in different aspects. However, a few have explored barriers that affecting the practice of preventive measures for the COVID-19. As such, the study aimed to fill these research gaps in the study setting. Methods A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct this phenomenological study among 16 key informants. Key informants were recruited by the purposive sampling method. To analyze that data, thematic content analysis was employed by using an inductive approach in NVivo 12 Pro software. Results In this study, six main themes were identified with the sub-themes. Overview of COVID-19 pandemic (with the six sub-themes), consequences (with the two sub-themes), perceived practice (with four sub-themes), perceived barriers (with four sub-themes), newfangled activities (with three sub-themes), and suggestion for improvement (with seven sub-themes) were the major themes. The participants perceived the influence of shortage of personal protective equipment and solutions for hand hygiene, negligence and ignorance, inadequate infrastructure, lack of training, and lack of attention and recognition for the staff on the practice of preventive measures. Conclusions This study showed a gap in preventive measure practices for the COVID-19 in the health care system. Community influences, health care provider related barriers, institutional barriers, and lack of communication and support affect the practice. Hence, attention should give to fulfill the necessary supplies in the health facilities, improve the infrastructures, and equip health professionals by providing capacity-building activities. Besides, health care workers must recognize, and attention is needed.

Personal protective equipment utilization practice and psychological preparedness of health care workers against COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Ethiopia

“…Hence, HCWs should be reinforced and supported by health institutions for addressing their PPE needs. 50–54…”

Toothbrushing with a dentifrice containing antimicrobial phthalocyanine derivative for the intraoral reduction of viral load of SARS-CoV-2: a pilot study

“…Since then, a worldwide catastrophe has been reported, taking more than a million lives (1)(2)(3). Direct contact, airborne contamination and respiratory droplets are the main source of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus − 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (2,4,5). Measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 have been used like mask-wearing, social distancing and handwashing (6), with emphasis on vaccines.…”

A Non-Linear Biostatistical Graphical Modeling of Preventive Actions and Healthcare Factors in Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As a result of implementing precautionary measures, daily life has a plethora of obstacles, including work life, social life, psychological problems, tourism, economic growth, and individual financial potentiality [ 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 ]. For instance, the healthcare professional faces a plethora of problems, resulting in inadequate precautionary practice [ 30 , 33 , 34 ]. There is significant relationship between several actions and air quality, clean beaches, and environmental noise; however, the rise in waste level and curtailment in recycling may impact future environment [ 35 ].…”