Investigating the Effective Factors of Using Personal Protective Equipment from the Perspective of Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Razieh Mokhtari, Ali Safdari, Davood Hekmatpou, Ali Sahebi, Siamak Moayedi, Mercedes Torres and Mohamad Golitaleb
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Razieh Mokhtari: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak 3819693345, Iran
Ali Safdari: Student Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak 3819693345, Iran
Davood Hekmatpou: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak 3819693345, Iran
Ali Sahebi: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam 6931851147, Iran
Siamak Moayedi: Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Mercedes Torres: Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Mohamad Golitaleb: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak 3819693345, Iran

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-9

Abstract: Considering the importance of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for preventing COVID-19 transmission, the aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the use of PPE from the perspective of the nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 240 nurses working in the central COVID-19 hospitals of Arak, Iran. Nurses were enrolled in the study by a convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and independent sample t -test. Environmental (4.24 ± 0.45), personal (4.16 ± 0.42), and organizational (4.04 ± 0.50) factors all contribute significantly to nursing attitudes about PPE use ( p < 0.05). The average score, combining all identified factors, was 4.15 ± 0.31. The most influential factor contributing to appropriate use of PPE was environmental, while the least impactful parameters were related to rules and regulations. Environmental factors have the greatest impact on the use of PPE from the perspective of the nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Managers and healthcare organizations should provide appropriate and adequate PPE to nurses, educate them on proper use, and monitor the process to resolve barriers.

Keywords: COVID-19; personal protection equipment (PPE); nurse; protective equipment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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