Public hospitals must always be prepared for emerging diseases to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from work-related infections. The study in question sought to measure the preparedness of public hospitals for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Myanmar a year after the government commenced the implementation of COVID-19 prevention measures. The study also aimed to pinpoint factors linked with work-related COVID-19 infection among HCWs in Myanmar. Data collection occurred in January 2021, focusing on 101 hospitals and 706 HCWs diagnosed with COVID-19 in Myanmar in 2020.
Collected hospital data included general information, the preparedness status for COVID-19 (such as guidelines, checklists, fever screening, patient pathways, and training), handwashing facilities, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE). Information regarding COVID-19 infected HCWs included their age, occupation, workplace, severity and source of COVID-19 infection, handwashing knowledge and practices, and working environment. A statistical test (Chi-square test) was used to compare the readiness at three hospital levels (primary, secondary, and tertiary). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors linked to work-related infections in HCWs.
The studied hospitals had a total of 12,888 beds, with 14,421 HCWs and 19,835 COVID-19 patients in 2020. While approximately 80% of hospitals had implemented recommended infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, only about 40% had produced COVID-19 guidelines and just over half had prepared checklists. Lower-end primary-level hospitals displayed the lowest preparedness. Factors correlated with work-related COVID-19 in HCWs included being aged 30–39 years, working as a doctor, employment in isolation wards, receiving disinfection technique training, and adequate availability of PPE in the workplace.
In January 2021, public hospitals in Myanmar showed lacking preparedness for COVID-19, particularly in generating guidelines and checklists and at primary-level hospitals. A support structure for hospital pandemic preparedness and ongoing IPC implementation is essential.
By the end of 2023, there had been over 773 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than seven million deaths globally. Approximately 3,000 deaths were still occurring weekly in January 2024, indicating that COVID-19 remained a pressing public health concern, particularly in developing countries. Transmission via airborne particles necessitates physical distancing, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene to curb the spread. Many HCWs contracted COVID-19 in the early phase of the pandemic due to inadequate PPE, prolonged exposure to COVID-19 patients, lengthy working hours, and excessive workloads. Furthermore, it’s crucial to comprehend the factors related to work-related COVID-19 infections among HCWs to improve hospital management, prevent HCW infections, and increase patient safety.
Source: https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-024-09863-3