loading page

Availability of personal protective equipment among healthcare workers in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web based survey
  • +2
  • ARASH NEMAT,
  • Nahid Raufi,
  • khalid kheirallah,
  • Eva Inam Al Zein,
  • Mohammad Yousuf Mubarak
ARASH NEMAT
Author Profile
Nahid Raufi
Kabul Medical University
Author Profile
khalid kheirallah
Jordan University of Science and Technology
Author Profile
Eva Inam Al Zein
Jordan Food and Drug Administration
Author Profile
Mohammad Yousuf Mubarak
Kabul Medical University Faculty of Curative Medicine

Corresponding Author:myousufm@gmail.com

Author Profile

Abstract

Aim of the study: The inception of the COVID-19 has put healthcare workers (HCWs) in a precarious situation across the world. Despite the challenges in Jordan, the high awareness and preparedness of HCWs made it feasible for the country to control the contagious virus. COVID-19 has created a critical situation in the health sector for many countries in the world. Healthcare workers (HCWs) include physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians etc.; have provided the front-line healthcare services facing challenges. The study aimed to provide a useful insight into availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among HCWs in Jordan, which could help the policy/decision makers of public health to design better programs based on the information reported. Method: This cross-sectional online survey was conducted during July 2020 for the evaluation of the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among HCWs in Jordan. Result: A total of 751 HCWs responded from different parts of the country, who were actively working at different hospitals in Jordan. Most of the participants (94%) had sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, and more than two-thirds of participants (68%) reported that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were provided by Jordan ministry of health. The majority (91%) of participants reported availability of medical face masks, while only 26% reported having facial protective shields. Conclusion: The study highlighted sufficient availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) which could prevent exposure of the front-line health workers from the high dose of virus as well as the best management of Jordanian HCWs during COVID-19 pandemic. It is obvious that availability and proper donning and doffing of the PPE is important for the safety of the HCWs specifically in the pandemic settings. Keywords: Jordan, COVID-19, healthcare workers, personal protective equipment