Preparedness in a public health emergency: determinants of willingness and readiness to respond in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Leao, T (Author) FMUP; Duarte, G (Author) Other; Goncalves, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Public Health

Vol. 203

Pages: 43-46

ISSN: 0033-3506

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-XEY

DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.11.021

Abstract (EN): Objectives: Healthcare professionals' high risk of infection and burnout in the first months of the COVID19 pandemic probably hindered their much-needed preparedness to respond. We aimed to inform how individual and institutional factors contributed for the preparedness to respond during the first months of a public health emergency. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: We surveyed healthcare workers from a Local Health Unit in Portugal, which comprises primary health care centers and hospital services, including public health units and intensive care units, in the second and third months of the COVID-19 epidemic in Portugal. The 460 answers, completed by 252 participants (about 10% of the healthcare workers), were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions. We estimated adjusted odds ratios for the readiness and willingness to respond. Results: Readiness to respond was associated with the perception of adequate infrastructures (aOR = 4.04, P < 0.005), lack of access to personal protective equipment (aOR = 0.26, P < 0.05) and organization (aOR = 0.31, P < 0.05). The willingness to act was associated with the perception of not being able to make a difference (aOR = 0.05, P < 0.005), risk of work-related burnout (aOR = 21.21, P < 0.01) and experiencing colleagues or patients' deaths due to COVID-19 (aOR = 0.24, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Adequate organization, infrastructures, and access to personal protective equipment may be crucial for workers' preparedness in a new public health emergency, as well workers' understanding of their roles and expected impact. These factors, together with the risk of work-related burnout, shall be taken into account in the planning of the response of healthcare institutions in future public health emergencies.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4