COVID-19: Training activities, adherence, and use of personal protective equipment in Primary Health Care

Rev Bras Enferm. 2025 Jan 10;77Suppl 1(Suppl 1):e20230179. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0179. eCollection 2025.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: to analyze the association between participation in training activities and the adherence to and use of personal protective equipment by workers and professionals involved in Health Residency Programs in Primary Health Care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: a cross-sectional study in Brazil between August/2020 and March/2021. We utilized the EPI-APS COVID-19 instrument and its adapted version for resident professionals.

Results: 455 PHC workers and 102 residents participated in the study. Among them, 54.5% and 55.9%, respectively, engaged in training activities. We observed an association between participation in training activities and the proper use of gloves (p<0.001), gowns (p=0.009), goggles/face shields (p=0.002), and overall adherence (p<0.001) among PHC workers, and the proper use of surgical masks (p=0.028) among residents. Adherence rates of ≥75% were identified in 6.9% of PHC workers and none among the residents.

Conclusion: training activities are associated with increased adherence to and proper use of PPE.

Objetivo:: analizar la relación de la realización de actividades formativas con adhesión y uso de los equipos de protección personal por los trabajadores y profesionales vinculados a Programas de Residencia Hospitalaria en la Atención Primaria de Salud en la pandemia de COVID-19.

Métodos:: estudio transversal, desarrollado en Brasil, entre agosto/2020 y marzo/2021. Utilizado el instrumento EPI-APS COVID-19 y su versión adaptada para profesionales residentes.

Resultados:: participaron 455 trabajadores de la Atención Primaria y 102 residentes. De estos, 54,5% y 55,9%, respectivamente, realizaron actividades de capacitación. Hubo relación entre realización de actividades formativas y uso adecuado de guantes (p<0,001), delantal/bata clínica (p=0,009), gafas de seguridad/protección facial (p=0,002) y adhesión (p<0,001) entre los trabajadores de la Atención Primaria; y uso adecuado de cubrebocas quirúrgicos (p=0,028) entre residentes. Identificado adhesión ≥75% por 6,9% de los trabajadores de la Atención Primaria y por ningún residente. Conclusión: actividades formativas tienen relación con adhesión y uso adecuado de equipos de protección personal.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Personnel* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Personal Protective Equipment* / statistics & numerical data
  • Primary Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

The research was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) - Process number 401457/2020-6 - Call MCTIC/CNPq/FNDCT/MS/SCTIE/Decit No. 07/2020 - Research for combating COVID-19, its consequences, and other severe acute respiratory syndromes. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.