Poor personal protective equipment practices were associated with heat-related symptoms among Asian healthcare workers: a large-scale multi-national questionnaire survey
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
14726955
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85186628720
Journal Title
BMC Nursing
Volume
23
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Nursing Vol.23 No.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Yang H.Y., Chou H.L., Leow C.H.W., Kao C.C., Daniel D., Jaladara V., Khoe L.C., Latha P.K., Mahendradhata Y., Nguyen P.M., Sirijatuphat R., Soemarko D.S., Venugopal V., Zhang K., Lee J.K.W. Poor personal protective equipment practices were associated with heat-related symptoms among Asian healthcare workers: a large-scale multi-national questionnaire survey. BMC Nursing Vol.23 No.1 (2024). doi:10.1186/s12912-024-01770-x Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/97573
Title
Poor personal protective equipment practices were associated with heat-related symptoms among Asian healthcare workers: a large-scale multi-national questionnaire survey
Author's Affiliation
Siriraj Hospital
Vietnam Military Medical University
School of Public Health
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei Municipal Wan-Fang Hospital
Universitas Gadjah Mada
Universitas Indonesia
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
Taipei Medical University
National University of Singapore
National Taiwan University
Vietnam Military Medical University
School of Public Health
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei Municipal Wan-Fang Hospital
Universitas Gadjah Mada
Universitas Indonesia
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
Taipei Medical University
National University of Singapore
National Taiwan University
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: It is pertinent to understand the perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) with their associated personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and heat strain symptoms experienced to effectively combat the negative effects of heat stress during treatment and care activities. Methods: We evaluated the associated heat stress perceived by HCWs across Asia and validated a questionnaire on perceptions of heat stress, associated PPE usage, and heat strain symptoms experienced. The questionnaire was administered to 3,082 HCWs in six Asian regions. Factor analyses, including Cronbach’s alpha, assessed the questionnaire’s validity and reliability. Structural equation modelling analysed the effects of knowledge, attitudes and practices, and heat strain symptoms. Results: The questionnaire was found to be reliable in assessing HCWs’ knowledge, and attitudes and practices towards heat stress and PPE usage (both Cronbach’s alpha = 0.9), but not heat strain symptoms (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.6). Despite knowledge of heat stress, HCWs had negative attitudes and practices regarding PPE usage (β1 = 0.6, p < 0.001). Knowledge (path coefficient = 0.2, p < 0.001), and negative attitudes and practices (path coefficient = 0.2, p < 0.001) of HCWs towards heat stress and PPE usage adversely affected symptoms experienced. Conclusions: The questionnaire was not reliable in assessing symptoms. HCWs should, nevertheless, still self-assess their symptoms for early detection of heat strain. To effectively attenuate heat strain, understanding HCWs’ attitudes and practices towards PPE usage should guide policymakers in implementing targeted heat management strategies.