Occupational accidents with biological material and protective measures adopted in COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To assess the occurrence of occupational accidents with biological material and the protective measures adopted by health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in a hospital complex in southern Brazil. Methods: This is descriptive, analytical, exploratory and quantitative research, developed in a hospital complex in southern Brazil. Participants were health professionals (nursing assistants and technicians, nurses, physiotherapists and physicians) who worked at COVID-19 units. Data were collected from May to August 2021, using a structured instrument for an online interview about the socio-occupational profile, work history and protective measures. Analysis was descriptive, and with chi-square, Fisher’s exact and odds ratio tests were used. Results: Of 104 participants, the average age was 35.8 years, 84.6% female, 57.7% were nurses, 38.5% had COVID-19, 5.8% had occupational accidents with biological material. Regarding protective measures, it should be noted that the use of a face shield or goggles reduced the chances of accidents. Regarding personal protective equipment use in aerosol-generating procedures, participants who used it most of the time, rather than always as recommended, showed an increased risk of occupational accidents with biological material (p=0.015 OR:7.67 [1.16-50.63]). Conclusion: The research inferred that there was an association between the occurrence of accidents and compliance with protective measures. It reinforces the importance of implementing measures that contribute to health professionals’ safety and minimize exposure to risks and health problems.