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Ahmed SM, Khanam M, Shuchi NS. COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A scoping review of governance issues affecting response in public sector. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2024; 7:100457. [PMID: 38226180 PMCID: PMC10788493 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background On January 30, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 as a Global Public Health Emergency. The first three COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh were confirmed on March 8, 2020. Thus, Bangladesh got substantial time to prepare the people and the health systems to respond to the outbreak However, neither the health ministry nor the government was found to rise to the occasion and provide the necessary stewardship for a coordinated and comprehensive response. Objective The importance of governance to mount an evidence-based pandemic response cannot be overemphasised. This study presents critical reflections on the Bangladesh government's COVID-19 response through a review of selected papers, with expert deliberations on the review findings to consolidate emerging lessons for future pandemic preparedness. Study design A scoping review approach was taken for this study. Methods Documents focusing on COVID-19 governance were selected from a repository of peer-reviewed articles published by researchers using data from Bangladesh (n = 11). Results Findings reveal Bangladesh's COVID-19 response to be delayed, slow, and ambiguous, reflecting poorly on its governance. Lack of governance capability in screening for COVID-19, instituting quarantine and lockdown measures in the early weeks, safety and security of frontline healthcare providers, timely and equitable COVID-19 testing, and logistics and procurement were phenomenal. The pandemic unmasked the weaknesses of the health system in this regard and "created new opportunities for corruption." The failure to harmonise coordination among the government's different agencies for the COVID-19 response, along with poor risk communication, which was not culture-sensitive and context-specific. Over time, the government initiated necessary actions to mitigate the pandemic's impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people. Diagnostic and case management services gained strength after some initial faltering; however, the stewardship functions were not seamless. Conclusions Shortage of healthcare workers, incapability of health facilities to cater to COVID-19 suspects and cases, absence of health system resilience, and corruption in procurement and purchases were limited the government's COVID-19 response. These need urgent attention from policymakers to better prepare for the next epidemic/pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Masud Ahmed
- Centre of Excellence for Health Systems and Universal Health Coverage (CoE HS&UHC), BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Bangladesh
| | - Mahruba Khanam
- Bangladesh Health Watch, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Noshin Sayiara Shuchi
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
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Ülgüt R, Tomsic I, Chaberny IF, von Lengerke T. Human resource management to assist infection prevention and control professionals: a scoping review. J Hosp Infect 2024; 148:145-154. [PMID: 38679391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals are key intermediaries between hospital managers and frontline staff. During the novel coronavirus disease pandemic, IPC professionals faced new challenges. Unfortunately, research on human resource management (HRM) to support IPC during and between pandemics is lacking. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to elucidate the existing knowledge on HRM measures in this context and thus contribute to the pandemic preparedness of healthcare facilities. It was conducted as part of the "PREparedness and PAndemic REsponse in Germany (PREPARED)" project within the Network University Medicine (NUM), using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. PubMed was searched without time restriction until 2023 (filter: English, German). Two reviewers assessed titles/abstracts and full texts, respectively. A total of nine publications were included, eight of which were published in the USA. All publications reported survey data (quantitative: six). Measures targeting personnel development and the qualification of IPC personnel were reported in six studies, i.e., almost two-thirds of the studies, of which five focused on the tasks of IPC professionals. In contrast, management of personnel costs and remuneration systems were reported less frequently (three studies), and only regarding issues around retention, compensation and dismissal. In conclusion, research gaps include trials on implementation and effectiveness of HRM for IPC. Given the increasing shortage of IPC professionals, HRM measures during and between pandemics become more important for establishing pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ülgüt
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Medical Psychology, Hannover, Germany
| | - I Tomsic
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Medical Psychology, Hannover, Germany
| | - I F Chaberny
- Leipzig University Hospital, Institute of Hygiene, Hospital Epidemiology and Environmental Medicine, Leipzig, Germany; Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Institute of Hospital Epidemiology and Environmental Hygiene, Kiel, Germany
| | - T von Lengerke
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Medical Psychology, Hannover, Germany.
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Thanh HN, Sutrisni IA, Rijal S, Pandey A, Tran TP, Dien R, Thi Hong YN, Timoria D, Friska D, Kekalih A, Bogh C, Karkey A, Hamers RL, Chambers M, Lewycka S, Van Nuil JI. Social cohesion among healthcare workers during COVID-19: Qualitative research in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2024; 5:100404. [PMID: 38911289 PMCID: PMC11190837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2024.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Existing literature has portrayed numerous challenges that healthcare workers (HCWs) faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as heightened risks of transmission against the scarcity of protective equipment, burgeoning workload, and emotional distress, to name a few. However, most studies explored HCWs' experiences at the individual level rather than examining the collective responses. Exploring these experiences could reveal the social-cultural locality of the pandemic while identifying the system constraints in public health emergencies. As part of a mixed-method study on COVID-19 pandemic impacts, we analysed qualitative interview data with 129 HCWs and health-related staff to explore their experiences during the pandemic between 2020 and 2021 in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal. Using Bahers' sociological framework, Community of Fate, we describe five themes reflecting the formation of a community of HCWs and the social cohesion underlying their efforts to survive hardship. The first three themes characterise the HCW community of fate, including (1) Recognition of extreme work-related danger, (2) physical and figurative closures where HCWs restrict themselves from the outside world, (3) chronic ordeals with overwhelming workload and responsibilities, encompassing recurrent mental health challenges. Against such extreme hardship, cohesive bonding and social resilience are reflected through two additional themes: (4) a mutual sense of moral and professional duty to protect communities, (5) the vertical and horizontal convergence among HCWs across levels and among government departments. We discuss these HCWs' challenges in relation to systemic vulnerabilities while advocating for increasing investment in public health and collaboration across government sectors to prepare for emergency situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Nguyen Thanh
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ida Ayu Sutrisni
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Indonesia, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Samita Rijal
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Aakriti Pandey
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Ragil Dien
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Indonesia, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Diana Timoria
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Indonesia, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Sumba Foundation, Sumba, Indonesia
| | - Dewi Friska
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aria Kekalih
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Raph L. Hamers
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Indonesia, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mary Chambers
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sonia Lewycka
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Viet Nam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Ilo Van Nuil
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Dept of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Mahdavi A, Atlasi R, Ebrahimi M, Azimian E, Naemi R. Human resource management (HRM) strategies of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20355. [PMID: 37771528 PMCID: PMC10522956 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers are at the forefront of fight against COVID-19 and the managers of medical centers should develop coping strategies for the challenges caused by COVID-19, especially for health human resources in order to improve the performance of healthcare organizations. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the human resource management strategies of medical staff during the COVID-19 to help them cope with the new strains of COVID-19 or epidemics of viral diseases that may occur in the future. In this study, a search was performed in the international Web of Science electronic database, using keywords such as human resource management and COVID-19. As a result, a total of 1884 articles published between January 1st, 2020 and October 22nd, 2021 were extracted. After screening the articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 articles were selected to enter the study. Then, a scientometric analysis was performed on the content of selected articles and the results were presented in the form of tables and conceptual models. In total, 9 strategies were extracted from the selected articles including development of organizational culture, staff screening, policy-making, infection control training and monitoring the implementation of learned materials, patient management, human resource management, psychological and motivational support, communication and coordination, and digital health services. Employing comprehensive strategies to maintain the health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 can play an effective role in reducing burnout, improving productivity and employee satisfaction, and in increasing the resilience of healthcare workers. It also has a positive effect on the patient's safety. Revision and reengineering of human resource management strategies in health and treatment organizations according to different cultures and contexts require research and investment in creative and innovative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Mahdavi
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Paramedical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Rasha Atlasi
- Information and Scientometrics Center at Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Maryam Ebrahimi
- Department of Health Information Technology, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Ehsanollah Azimian
- Department of Linguistics and Foreign Languages, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Naemi
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Paramedical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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Knutsen Glette M, Ludlow K, Wiig S, Bates DW, Austin EE. Resilience perspective on healthcare professionals' adaptations to changes and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic: a meta-synthesis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071828. [PMID: 37730402 PMCID: PMC10514639 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify, review and synthesise qualitative literature on healthcare professionals' adaptations to changes and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Systematic review with meta-synthesis. DATA SOURCES Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Qualitative or mixed-methods studies published between 2019 and 2021 investigating healthcare professionals' adaptations to changes and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data were extracted using a predesigned data extraction form that included details about publication (eg, authors, setting, participants, adaptations and outcomes). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Forty-seven studies were included. A range of adaptations crucial to maintaining healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic were found, including taking on new roles, conducting self and peer education and reorganising workspaces. Triggers for adaptations included unclear workflows, lack of guidelines, increased workload and transition to digital solutions. As challenges arose, many health professionals reported increased collaboration across wards, healthcare teams, hierarchies and healthcare services. CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals demonstrated significant adaptive capacity when faced with challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several adaptations were identified as beneficial for future organisational healthcare service changes, while others exposed weaknesses in healthcare system designs and capacity, leading to dysfunctional adaptations. Healthcare professionals' experiences working during the COVID-19 pandemic present a unique opportunity to learn how healthcare systems rapidly respond to changes, and how resilient healthcare services can be built globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Knutsen Glette
- SHARE-Center for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Kristiana Ludlow
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland School of Psychology, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siri Wiig
- SHARE-Center for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - David Westfall Bates
- SHARE-Center for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Austin
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Ekingen E, Teleş M, Yıldız A, Yıldırım M. Mediating effect of work stress in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and nurses' organizational and professional turnover intentions. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2023; 42:97-105. [PMID: 36842836 PMCID: PMC9806922 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2022.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Nursing is one of the most stressful and high-risk professions. It is important to identify the psychological problems experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the relationship between these problems to devise measures that can properly address them. This study examined mediating effect of work stress in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and nurses' organizational and professional turnover intentions. Using a cross-sectional research design, this study was conducted on 486 nurses working in seven hospitals in Turkey. The mean age of the participants was 35.24 ± 6.81 and 59.9 % of them were women. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the General Work Stress Scale, and the Turnover Intention Scale were used to collect data. A mediation model showed that fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with work stress and organizational and professional turnover intentions. The model also revealed that work stress was positively associated with organizational and professional turnover intentions. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that fear of COVID-19 did not only have a direct effect on organizational and professional turnover intentions but also had an indirect effect on it via increased work stress. Findings improve our understanding of the role of work stress in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and organizational and professional turnover intentions. The findings are fruitful for tailoring and implementing intervention programs to reduce the adverse psychological impacts of COVID-19 on nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhan Ekingen
- Department of Health Management, Batman University, Turkey
| | - Mesut Teleş
- Department of Health Management, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Yıldız
- Department of Health Management, Batman University, Turkey
| | - Murat Yıldırım
- Department of Psychology, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Turkey.
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Chowdhury SR, Kabir H, Akter N, Iktidar MA, Roy AK, Chowdhury MR, Hossain A. Impact of workplace bullying and burnout on job satisfaction among Bangladeshi nurses: A cross-sectional study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13162. [PMID: 36755612 PMCID: PMC9900271 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Job satisfaction is one of the most important but least researched issues in the nursing profession in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate how workplace bullying and burnout are related to job satisfaction, as well as determine the factors that are associated with job satisfaction among Bangladeshi nurses. Methods Data were collected from Bangladeshi registered nurses between February 26, 2021, and July 10, 2021, in this cross-sectional study. Bullying, burnout, and job satisfaction were measured with the Short Negative Acts Questionnaire [S-NAQ], the Burnout Measure-Short version (BMS), and the Short Index of Job Satisfaction (SIJS-5), respectively. The correlations between age, bullying, burnout, and job satisfaction were assessed using a Pearson's correlation test. In order to investigate the adjusted association of demographic characteristics, occupational variables, bullying, and burnout with job satisfaction, multiple linear regression models were fitted. Results The study included 1,264 nurses (70.02% were female) with a mean age of 28.41 (±5.54) years. Job satisfaction was significantly negatively correlated with bullying and burnout (p < 0.001). According to the multiple linear regression models, the private-employed nurses had lower job satisfaction than the government-employed nurses (β = -0.901, CI: -1.640 to -0.162). Compared to the nurses in the Dhaka division, the nurses in the Chattogram division (β = 0.854, CI: 0.099 to 1.609) and other divisions (β = 0.993, CI: 0.273 to 1.713) had higher job satisfaction. Nurses without sufficient equipment to manage patients (β = -1.230, CI: -1.696 to -0.763), and nurses not paid on time (β = -1.475, CI: -2.221 to -0.729) were predicted to have significantly lower job satisfaction. Nurses' job satisfaction levels were decreased with higher levels of workplace bullying (β = -0.086, CI: -0.120 to -0.053), and burnout (β = -1.040, CI: -1.242 to -0.838). Conclusions Nurses' job satisfaction was correlated with workplace bullying and burnout. Moreover, insufficient professional support from the authorities predicted nurses' job satisfaction. Reducing the instances of bullying and burnout among nurses, as well as improving their working environment, are essential to increase job satisfaction. This is possible with the support of hospital management, policymakers, and government authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saifur Rahman Chowdhury
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh,Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4L8, Ontario, Canada,Corresponding author. Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Humayun Kabir
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh,Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 4L8, Ontario, Canada,Corresponding author. Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Nahida Akter
- Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh,Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Anjan Kumar Roy
- Department of Nursing and Health Science, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | | | - Ahmed Hossain
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh,Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Shafran Tikva S, Gabay G, Asraf L, Kluger AN, Lerman Y. Experiencing and witnessing disruptive behaviors toward nurses in COVID-19 teams, patient safety, and errors in care. J Nurs Scholarsh 2023; 55:253-261. [PMID: 36583655 PMCID: PMC9880736 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurse managers and team co-workers' disruptive behaviors (DBs) are negatively associated with a perceived safe climate. Moreover, DBs are a risk factor for patients' safety. Yet, it remains unknown whether and to what extent these effects were prevalent in COVID-19 wards and among witnesses of DBs. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. METHODS A questionnaire was distributed on social networks and completed by nurses in various Israeli healthcare organizations using snowball sampling between October and December 2021. The questionnaire included seven previously published measures and a question checking whether the participants had worked in a COVID-19 ward. The minimal sample size for any analysis was 236. Hypotheses were tested with correlations and structural equation modeling. RESULTS DBs of nurse managers and team co-workers toward nurses were higher in COVID-19 teams. As hypothesized, DBs were negatively correlated with a safe climate and positively with patient safety (fewer errors). The data were consistent with a model suggesting that a safe climate is related to fewer DBs and DBs largely mediate the effects of safe climate on errors. Surprisingly and importantly, the strongest predictor of errors, including preventable mortality, is witnessing DBs and not being a victim of DBs. CONCLUSIONS DBs may impede open communication and collaboration among co-workers, particularly in COVID-19 teams. This study shows the links between nurse shaping of a safe climate, DBs toward nurses, and patient safety. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Nurse managers who create a safe climate and show zero tolerance for DBs could reduce the risk of errors in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigal Shafran Tikva
- School of Nursing Jerusalem College of Technology, Head, Hadassah Research and Innovation Center in NursingHadassah University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Gillie Gabay
- Multi‐Disciplinary StudiesAchva Academic CollegeIsrael
| | - Liron Asraf
- Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and ManagementBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeershebaIsrael
| | - Avraham N. Kluger
- The Jerusalem School of Business AdministrationThe Hebrew University–Mt. ScopusJerusalemIsrael
| | - Yulia Lerman
- Operating Room and Post‐ Anesthesia Care Unit Academic ConsultantHadassah University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
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In-person training on COVID-19 case management and infection prevention and control: Evaluation of healthcare professionals in Bangladesh. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273809. [PMID: 36201257 PMCID: PMC9531814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, the major focus of healthcare organizations shifted towards preparing healthcare systems to handle the inevitable COVID-19 burden at different phases and levels. A series of in-person training programs were operated in collaboration with government and partner organizations for the healthcare workers (HCW) of Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of HCWs regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, their case management, infection prevention and control to fight against the ongoing pandemic. Methods As a part of the National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19 in Bangladesh, the training program was conducted at four district-level hospitals and one specialized hospital in Bangladesh from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. A total of 755 HCWs participated in the training sessions. Among them, 357 (47%) were enrolled for the evaluation upon completion of the data, collected from one district hospital (Feni) and one specialized hospital (National Institute of Mental Health). Results The mean percentage of pre-test and post-test scores of all the participants were found to be 57% (95% CI 8.34–8.91; p 0.01) and 65% (95% CI 9.56–10.15; p <0.001) respectively. The difference of score (mean) between the groups was significant (p<0.001). After categorizing participants’ knowledge levels as poor, average and fair, doctors’ group has shown to have significant enhancement from level of average to fair compared to that of the nurses. Factors associated with knowledge augmentation of doctors were working in primary health care centers (aOR: 4.22; 95% CI: 1.80, 9.88), job experience less than 5 years (aOR: 4.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 16.63) and experience in caring of family member with COVID-19 morbidity (aOR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.03, 4.10), after adjusting for relevant covariates such as age, sex and prior COVID-19 illness. Conclusion Considering the series of waves of COVID-19 pandemic with newer variants, the present paper underscores the importance of implementing the structured in-person training program on case management, infection prevention and control for the HCWs that may help for successful readiness prior to future pandemics that may further help to minimize the pandemic related fatal consequences.
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Mondal UK, Haque T, Biswas MAAJ, Satter SM, Islam MS, Alam Z, Shojon M, Debnath S, Islam M, Murshid HB, Hassan MZ, Homaira N. Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Treating COVID-19 Patients in Bangladesh. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:1350. [PMID: 36290008 PMCID: PMC9598521 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11101350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although national and international guidelines have strongly discouraged use of antibiotics to treat COVID-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms, antibiotics are frequently being used. This study aimed to determine antibiotics-prescribing practices among Bangladeshi physicians in treating COVID-19 patients. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among physicians involved in treating COVID-19 patients. During September-November 2021, data were collected from 511 respondents through an online Google Form and hardcopies of self-administered questionnaires. We used descriptive statistics and a regression model to identify the prevalence of prescribing antibiotics among physicians and associated factors influencing their decision making. Out of 511 enrolled physicians, 94.13% prescribed antibiotics to COVID-19 patients irrespective of disease severity. All physicians working in COVID-19-dedicated hospitals and 87% for those working in outpatient wards used antibiotics to treat COVID-19 patients. The majority (90%) of physicians reported that antibiotics should be given to COVID-19 patients with underlying respiratory conditions. The most prescribed antibiotics were meropenem, moxifloxacin, and azithromycin. Our study demonstrated high use of antibiotics for treatment of COVID-19 patients irrespective of disease severity and the duty ward of study physicians. Evidence-based interventions to promote judicious use of antibiotics for treating COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh may help in reducing an overuse of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utpal Kumar Mondal
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abdullah Al Jubayer Biswas
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Syed Moinuddin Satter
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md Saiful Islam
- Department of Epidemiology, The Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Zahidul Alam
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Shojon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Shubroto Debnath
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mohaiminul Islam
- Department of Medicine, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | | | - Md Zakiul Hassan
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Nusrat Homaira
- Discipline of Pediatrics, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Boro E, Stoll B. Barriers to COVID-19 Health Products in Low-and Middle-Income Countries During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:928065. [PMID: 35937225 PMCID: PMC9354133 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.928065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has intensified the urgency in addressing pressing global health access challenges and has also laid bare the pervasive structural and systemic inequities that make certain segments of society more vulnerable to the tragic consequences of the disease. This rapid systematic review analyses the barriers to COVID-19 health products in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). It does so from the canon of global health equity and access to medicines by proposing an access to health products in low-and middle-income countries framework and typology adapted to underscore the complex interactive and multiplicative nature and effects of barriers to health products and their root cause as they coexist across different levels of society in LMICs. Methods Modified versions of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) reviewers' manual for evidence synthesis of systematic reviews and the PRISMA-ScR framework were used to guide the search strategy, identification, and screening of biomedical, social science, and gray literature published in English between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2021. Results The initial search resulted in 5,956 articles, with 72 articles included in this review after screening protocol and inclusion criteria were applied. Thirty one percent of the articles focused on Africa. The review revealed that barriers to COVID-19 health products were commonly caused by market forces (64%), the unavailability (53%), inaccessibility (42%), and unaffordability (35%), of the products, incongruent donors' agenda and funding (33%) and unreliable health and supply systems (28%). They commonly existed at the international and regional (79%), health sectoral (46%), and national cross-sectoral [public policy] (19%) levels. The historical heritage of colonialism in LMICs was a commonly attributed root cause of the barriers to COVID-19 health products in developing countries. Conclusion This review has outlined and elaborated on the various barriers to health products that must be comprehensively addressed to mount a successful global, regional, national and subnational response to present and future epidemics and pandemics in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezekiel Boro
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Rahman MA, Sagar SK, Dalal K, Barsha SY, Ara T, Khan MAS, Saha S, Sarmin T, Hossian M, Nabi MH, Rahman ML, Hawlader MDH. Quality of life among health care workers with and without prior COVID-19 infection in Bangladesh. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:823. [PMID: 35752784 PMCID: PMC9233781 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08174-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Health care workers have been facing difficulties in coping with the COVID-19 infection from the beginning. The study aimed to compare Quality of Life (QOL) among health care workers (HCWs) with and without prior COVID-19 disease. Methods This study was conducted from July 2020 to January 2021 among 444 HCWs. We randomly interviewed 3244 participants for our earlier nationwide survey from a list of COVID-19 positive cases after their recovery, and we found 222 HCWs among the respondents. We randomly chose 222 HCWs unaffected by COVID as a comparison group from our selected hospitals. We measured QOL using World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-BREF tool. Physical, psychological, environmental, and social ties were the four areas assessed on a 5-point Likert scale where a higher score suggests better QOL. Due to pandemic restrictions, we used telephonic interviews for data collection. Results A higher QOL score was observed in HCWs with prior COVID-19 infection in all four domains than HCWs without previous COVID-19 conditions. Comorbidity was negatively associated with QOL scores of the physical (p = 0.001) and (p < 0.001) and psychological (p = 0.05, and (p < 0.05) domains for non-COVID and COVID-affected groups, respectively. Current smoking was significantly associated with lower psychological (p = 0.019) and environmental (p = 0.007) QOL scores among HCWs with prior COVID-19 infection. Hospitalization history due to COVID infection was a contributing factor for lower physical QOL scores (p = 0.048). Environmental (p = 0.016) QOL scores were significantly associated with the monthly income in the prior COVID-19 infection group, and physical scores were significantly associated (p = 0.05) with a monthly income in the non-COVID group. Conclusion Governmental and non-governmental stakeholders should focus on potentially modifiable factors to improve health care workers’ quality of life. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08174-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahfil Ara Rahman
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh.,Department of Reproductive and Child Health, Centre for Injury Prevention & Research Bangladesh, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1206, Bangladesh
| | - Soumik Kha Sagar
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division (NCSD), International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Koustuv Dalal
- Division of Public Health Science, School of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.
| | | | - Tasnim Ara
- Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abdullah Saeed Khan
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh.,Infectious Disease Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shuvajit Saha
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Projahnmo Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tanjina Sarmin
- National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mosharop Hossian
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health Professional Development Society (PPDS), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | | | - Mohammad Lutfor Rahman
- Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
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Das Pooja S, Nandonik AJ, Ahmed T, Kabir ZN. “Working in the Dark”: Experiences of Frontline Health Workers in Bangladesh During COVID-19 Pandemic. J Multidiscip Healthc 2022; 15:869-881. [PMID: 35496717 PMCID: PMC9053477 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s357815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Frontline health workers (FHW) are working relentlessly to combat the COVID-19 pandemic globally. This is particularly challenging for low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh because of resource scarcity. Therefore, it is critical to understand the challenges of healthcare providers to help shaping a contextual pandemic response plan address current and future similar crises. Aim This study aimed to describe the challenges faced by FHWs in Bangladesh in terms of information on COVID-19, managing patients with COVID-19, and what motivated them to continue providing service during the pandemic. Methods This qualitative study explored the experiences of 18 FHWs who were purposely recruited from different health interventions of a development organization in Bangladesh. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted during July–August 2020 using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was used to analyze the data which led to four categories. Results Four main categories and ten sub-categories emerged from the analysis. Categories derived from the analysis were as follows: i) experiences of the FHWs regarding information on COVID-19: “Working in the dark”, ii) experience of providing care: “Patients are grateful”, iii) impact on personal/family life: “Life is still in lockdown” and iv) motivation to carry on providing care. Conclusion FHWs desire a stable information source to prepare themselves for future health care crises. Organizational support is essential for them to overcome physical and mental struggles and keep themselves motivated to continue service provision during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangjucta Das Pooja
- SAJIDA Foundation, OTOBI Center, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
- Correspondence: Shangjucta Das Pooja, SAJIDA Foundation, OTOBI Centre, 5th Floor, Plot 12, Block CWS(C), Gulshan South Avenue, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh, Tel +880 1670733453, Email
| | | | - Tanvir Ahmed
- SAJIDA Foundation, OTOBI Center, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Zarina Nahar Kabir
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden
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Gautam S, Setu S, Khan MGQ, Khan MB. Analysis of the health, economic and environmental impacts of COVID-19: The Bangladesh perspective. GEOSYSTEMS AND GEOENVIRONMENT 2022. [PMCID: PMC8562041 DOI: 10.1016/j.geogeo.2021.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although COVID-19 has given an opportunity to the earth to restore her ecosystem, its role in bringing changes in every sector including social, economic, agricultural, industrial, education and health is enormous. The study was conducted to assess the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 in Bangladesh by collecting data from different sources. The result depicted that during the first wave of COVID-19, the detection rate was less than 5%, exceeding almost 30% after detecting the deadlier Indian variant where 65% of the death is noticed by the people older than 50 years. Among all the frontline service providers during Covid, the highest rate of death was observed for doctors in Bangladesh. This study also discussed the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and found that women faced more depression and anxiety than men as well as 43% of children had subthreshold mental disturbances. Three-fourths of the adolescents have been distressed with household stress during the pandemic. Women and girls have encountered increased domestic violence whereas early marriages dropped out many rural girls from education. Decreasing remittance from non-residents and shutting down of RMG industry resulted loss of job and have badly affected economic section. Almost 20 million workers lost their jobs in Bangladesh from the informal sector. Moreover, the healthcare workers who have treated the corona virus patients have been socially stigmatized due to the fear of infection. Corona Virus has jeopardized the agriculture sector and 66% farmers (53% crop and vegetables, 99% fish farmers) got lower price than they used to get in a normal situation. Together with Government, non-government organizations, researchers, doctors, industrialists, international organization as well as individuals should come forward to handle this pandemic.
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Basnet B, Chapagain P, Subedi S, Dahal T, Neupane S, Khanal R, Pinder RJ, Lucero-Prisno DE, Sundar Budhathoki S. Experiences of nurses providing maternity care in a public hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000322. [PMID: 36962196 PMCID: PMC10021459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Maternity service providers have struggled to provide high-quality services to women and newborns during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has substantially impacted health systems and disrupted maternity services globally. Nepal is a resources-limited country that reported a significant impact of the pandemic on maternal health services. It is therefore important to understand better the perspective of health care professionals in this context. This study intends to explore the experiences of nurses providing maternity care in the public sector during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. A qualitative study using a phenomenological design was conducted. Altogether ten nurses working in maternity services were selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was conducted using Clarke and Braun 2006 technique. The findings of the study were organized into codes, sub-themes and themes. The six themes identified were fear of COVID-19 at work, challenges at work, changes at work and services, motivations to work, stigma due to COVID-19, and impact on services. Participants described how maternity services could not be stopped during the pandemic. They had experienced decreased utilization of antenatal services as a consequence of 'lockdown' thereby leading to an increase in maternal and neonatal mortality. Respondents reported ineffective human resource management compromising the quality of care. The professional responsibility to cope with adverse circumstances and serve society is a major source of motivation that health workers relied upon to get them through the pandemic period. A wide range of challenges were faced by service providers during the pandemic which requires action and support of all levels of government, institutions and society-at-large to assure the continued provision of safe maternity care during such a protracted period of challenging work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidhya Basnet
- Maternal Health Nursing Department, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Pratiksha Chapagain
- Maternal Health Nursing Department, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Sabitra Subedi
- Maternal Health Nursing Department, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Tulasha Dahal
- Maternal Health Nursing Department, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Saraswati Neupane
- Maternal Health Nursing Department, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Ranjita Khanal
- Maternal Health Nursing Department, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Richard J Pinder
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shyam Sundar Budhathoki
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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