Personal protective equipment used by obstetricians and obstetric nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mansoura, Egypt

Background: This study was done to describe the pattern of personal protective equipment (PPE) use, associated factors, and adverse events among obstetricians and obstetric nurses in obstetrics & gynecology departments. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Obstetrics & Gynecology departments in three hospitals (physician & nurses n=252) using an online Google form including demographic and occupational health data, type of available personal protective equipment during usual care, CS and emergency labor, infection control measures and hazards of full PPE use. Results Full PPE use was 37.7% during CS and 34.9% during emergency labor. The significant predictors of wearing full PPE during CS were daily work hours > 8 hours and receiving formal training about PPE use. During CS & emergency labor most of HCws used sterile gloves and sterile fluid resistant gowns and surgical mask.to less extent used face shields or tight fitting googles and one tenth (11.8%) only used N95. The most common health effects of full PPE use was sense of heat (79.5%) . Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic more vigorous respiratory (N95 mask) and eye protection is required during aerosol-generating procedures. Formal training is an evident predictor for full PPE use.