Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India
Introduction: Female Healthcare Workers (FHCWs) played a crucial role during the Coronavirus Diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, diligently donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to deliver essential care to patients. While PPE effectively shielded FHCWs from infections, it simultaneously impose...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/19204/66473_CE[Ra1]_F(SS)_QC(SHK_RDW_IS)_PF1(RI_DK_OM)_PFA(RI_KM)_PF2(DA_OM)_PN(KM).pdf |
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| author | Rajiv Yeravdekar Manisha Gore |
| author_facet | Rajiv Yeravdekar Manisha Gore |
| author_sort | Rajiv Yeravdekar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Female Healthcare Workers (FHCWs) played a crucial role during the Coronavirus Diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, diligently donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to deliver essential care to patients. While PPE effectively shielded FHCWs from infections, it simultaneously imposed limitations on their ability to perform fundamental human activities, including using restrooms and managing menstruation. During menstruation, the restricted access to sanitary pads, combined with the challenges of working in PPE, heightened vulnerability among FHCWs, resulting in discomfort, distress, and a decline in work efficiency.
Aim: To assess the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of FHCWs regarding PPE usage while providing healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it aimed to explore the challenges experienced in managing Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) during the COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the western region of India at a tertiary care hospital of the medical college of Symbiosis International (Deemed to be University) in Pune, Maharashtra, India from September 2020 to November 2020. A total of 300 FHCWs who were assigned COVID-19 duties and utilised PPE were included. Data was collected through a semistructured proforma, covering topics on PPE usage, challenges encountered, personal experiences, and the management of menstruation. The collected data underwent analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0, with a primary emphasis on descriptive statistics.
Results: A total of 194 (64.7%) perceived that PPE imparted protection, and 267 (89.1%) believed that work efficiency was compromised. Challenges reported by FHCWs while working in PPE included sweating, difficulty in making eye contact, triggers of headaches, nausea, and earaches. A total of 161 (53.9%) reported experiencing a menstrual cycle while on duty with COVID-19 patients, out of which 40 (24.8%) experienced irregular periods, 23 (14.2%) experienced premenstrual stress, and 98 (60.8%) suffered from dysmenorrhoea during menstruation. Additionally, 155 (96.4%) were unable to change sanitary pads, 18 (11%) had stained PPE suits, and 146 (99.9%) experienced challenges in the disposal of sanitary napkins.
Conclusion: Many FHCWs felt that PPE offered protection but also compromised work efficiency. Sweating, discomfort, and managing menstrual hygiene within PPE were common challenges encountered. Providing training on PPE usage, adjusting shift durations, implementing policies for the supply of sanitary pads, permitting breaks for changing, ensuring proper disposal arrangements, providing necessary medications and additional PPE if required, leaves, or creating alternative duty arrangements would be beneficial for FHCWs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:41:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8dbe3c2b46554a72bd329efefa7ca410 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2249-782X 0973-709X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:41:25Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-8dbe3c2b46554a72bd329efefa7ca4102024-03-15T12:04:20ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2024-03-0118030611 10.7860/JCDR/2024/66473.19204Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, IndiaRajiv Yeravdekar0Manisha Gore1Provost, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Symbiosis Community Outreach Programme and Extension, Symbiosis International (Deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra, India.Introduction: Female Healthcare Workers (FHCWs) played a crucial role during the Coronavirus Diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, diligently donning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to deliver essential care to patients. While PPE effectively shielded FHCWs from infections, it simultaneously imposed limitations on their ability to perform fundamental human activities, including using restrooms and managing menstruation. During menstruation, the restricted access to sanitary pads, combined with the challenges of working in PPE, heightened vulnerability among FHCWs, resulting in discomfort, distress, and a decline in work efficiency. Aim: To assess the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of FHCWs regarding PPE usage while providing healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it aimed to explore the challenges experienced in managing Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) during the COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the western region of India at a tertiary care hospital of the medical college of Symbiosis International (Deemed to be University) in Pune, Maharashtra, India from September 2020 to November 2020. A total of 300 FHCWs who were assigned COVID-19 duties and utilised PPE were included. Data was collected through a semistructured proforma, covering topics on PPE usage, challenges encountered, personal experiences, and the management of menstruation. The collected data underwent analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0, with a primary emphasis on descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 194 (64.7%) perceived that PPE imparted protection, and 267 (89.1%) believed that work efficiency was compromised. Challenges reported by FHCWs while working in PPE included sweating, difficulty in making eye contact, triggers of headaches, nausea, and earaches. A total of 161 (53.9%) reported experiencing a menstrual cycle while on duty with COVID-19 patients, out of which 40 (24.8%) experienced irregular periods, 23 (14.2%) experienced premenstrual stress, and 98 (60.8%) suffered from dysmenorrhoea during menstruation. Additionally, 155 (96.4%) were unable to change sanitary pads, 18 (11%) had stained PPE suits, and 146 (99.9%) experienced challenges in the disposal of sanitary napkins. Conclusion: Many FHCWs felt that PPE offered protection but also compromised work efficiency. Sweating, discomfort, and managing menstrual hygiene within PPE were common challenges encountered. Providing training on PPE usage, adjusting shift durations, implementing policies for the supply of sanitary pads, permitting breaks for changing, ensuring proper disposal arrangements, providing necessary medications and additional PPE if required, leaves, or creating alternative duty arrangements would be beneficial for FHCWs.https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/19204/66473_CE[Ra1]_F(SS)_QC(SHK_RDW_IS)_PF1(RI_DK_OM)_PFA(RI_KM)_PF2(DA_OM)_PN(KM).pdfcoronavirus diseases-2019human rightsmenstrual health and hygienepandemic |
| spellingShingle | Rajiv Yeravdekar Manisha Gore Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research coronavirus diseases-2019 human rights menstrual health and hygiene pandemic |
| title | Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India |
| title_full | Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India |
| title_short | Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Personal Protective Equipment Usage and Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Female Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra, India |
| title_sort | perceptions and experiences regarding personal protective equipment usage and menstrual health and hygiene among female healthcare workers during covid 19 a cross sectional study at a tertiary care hospital maharashtra india |
| topic | coronavirus diseases-2019 human rights menstrual health and hygiene pandemic |
| url | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/19204/66473_CE[Ra1]_F(SS)_QC(SHK_RDW_IS)_PF1(RI_DK_OM)_PFA(RI_KM)_PF2(DA_OM)_PN(KM).pdf |
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