Table 4 Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the study groups on dealing with patients during the pandemic
Personal protective equipment (PPE) use | All sample (N=154) | G1 (N=62) | G2 (N=37) | G3 (N=36) | G4 (N=15) | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masks/ respirators use: | N95/N98 mask or PAPR | 69 (44.8%) | 32 (51.6%) | 3 (8.1%) | 28 (77.8%) | 4 (26.7%) | §< 0.001* |
Surgical mask | 32 (20.8%) | 5 (8.1%) | 20 (54.1%) | 3 (8.3%) | 4 (26.7%) | ||
Surgical or N95/N98 mask based on availability | 19 (12.3%) | 8 (12.9%) | 7 (18.9%) | 3 (8.3%) | 1 (6.7%) | ||
Surgical mask, and an N95/N98 only during AGPs | 34 (22.1%) | 17 (27.4%) | 7 (18.9%) | 2 (5.6%) | 6 (40.0%) | ||
No mask use | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
Mask replacement: | Immediately after dealing with a patient | 22 (14.3%) | 6 (9.7%) | 9 (24.3%) | 2 (5.6%) | 5 (33.3%) | §0.028* |
“Extended use” and change only if soiled or damp | 115 (74.7%) | 45 (72.6%) | 26 (70.3%) | 30 (83.3%) | 10 (66.7%) | ||
“Extended use” for the day even if soiled/damp | 17 (11.0%) | 11 (17.7%) | 2 (5.4%) | 4 (11.1%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
Eye protection: | Safety glasses with or without side protections | 24 (15.6%) | 11 (17.7%) | 2 (5.4%) | 6 (16.7%) | 5 (33.3%) | §0.014* |
Occlusive eyewear e.g. swim goggles | 13 (8.4%) | 5 (8.1%) | 1 (2.7%) | 7 (19.4%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
Face shield/visor | 89 (57.8%) | 36 (58.1%) | 26 (70.3%) | 16 (44.4%) | 7 (46.7%) | ||
Corrective/medical glasses only | 18 (11.7%) | 8 (12.9%) | 2 (5.4%) | 5 (13.9%) | 3 (20.0%) | ||
None | 10 (6.5%) | 2 (3.2%) | 6 (16.2%) | 2 (5.6%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||