Healthcare Workers’ Experiences and Views of Using Surgical Masks and Respirators, and Their Attitudes on the Sustainability: A Semi-Structured Survey Study during COVID-19

Nursing Reports

Anu Venesoja¹  Paulus Torkki²  Kaisa Grönman³  Laura Rotinen⁴  Susanna Tella⁴  Katri Laatikainen⁴  Krista Koljonen⁵  Salla Hiltunen⁵  Svetlana Butylina⁵ 

[1] Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;Department of Sustainability Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland;Faculty of Social Services and Health Care, LAB University of Applied Sciences, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland;Laboratory of Separation Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland;

关键词: COVID-19;    FFP2;    FFP3;    healthcare (HC) workers;    personal protective equipment;    respirators;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nursrep11030059

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

A universal mask use was instituted in healthcare during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The extensive growth in the consumption of surgical masks and respirators brought new challenges. Healthcare workers had to get accustomed to wearing the facemasks continuously, raising concerns on the patient, occupational, and environmental safety. The aim of this study is to describe frontline healthcare workers and other authorities’ views and experiences on continuous use of surgical masks and respirators (facemasks) and their attitudes towards environmental and sustainability issues. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic in autumn 2020. The respondents(N = 120) were recruited via social media, and the data were collected using a purpose-designed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data and qualitative data, respectively. The healthcare workers perceived their own and patient safety, and comfortability of facemasks as important, but according to their experiences, these properties were not evident with the current facemasks. They considered protection properties more important than environmental values. However, biodegradability and biobased material were seen as desired properties in facemasks. Based on the results, the current facemasks do not meet users’ expectations well enough. Especially the design, breathability, and sustainability issues should be taken more into account.

【 授权许可】

Unknown