The prevalence of facial pressure injuries among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship to COVID-19 infection

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of facial pressure injuries related to personal protective equipment use in nurses and the relationship with getting COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: The study used descriptive and correlational online survey design. METHODS: Nurses in Turkey were recruited via an electronic link sent to their social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), WhatsApp, and e-mail during the study: March–April 2021. Of them, 603 participants completed the survey form from all over Turkey. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Facial pressure injuries develop in nurses due to use of personal protective equipment. The rates of facial pressure injuries were higher in the nurses who were younger (p=0.002) and those who had less experience years (p=0.005) than the other nurses. The statistically significant variables were determined as age, status of using face shield, status of wearing overalls and status of wearing shoe covers (p<0.05). We determined that facial pressure injuries were not significantly associated with getting COVID-19 infection (p>0,05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that facial pressure injuries associated with personal protective equipment use among nurses, who work on the frontlines in the COVID-19 pandemic period, is highly prevalent. Experiencing facial pressure injuries did not have a significant effect on the participants’ statuses of getting infected with COVID-19. Providing training in health institutions may present an effective strategy in lowering problems.