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Background: Wearing masks or personal protective equipment (PPE) has become an integral part of the occupational life of physicians due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Most physicians have been developing various health hazards related to the use of different protective gears. This study aimed to determine the burden and spectrum of various health hazards associated with using masks or PPE and their associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dhaka Medical College from March 01–May 30, 2021, among physicians from different public hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We analyzed the responses of 506 physicians who completed case record forms through Google forms or hard copies. Findings: The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 35.4 [7.7], and 69.4% were men. Approximately 40% were using full PPE, and 55% were using N-95 masks. A total of 489 (96.6%) patients experienced at least one health hazard. The reported severe health hazards were syncope, severe dyspnea, severe chest pain, and anaphylaxis. Headache, dizziness, mood irritation, chest pain, excessive sweating, panic attack, and permanent facial disfigurement were the minor health hazards reported. Extended periods of work in the COVID-19-unit, reuse of masks, diabetes, obesity, and mental stress were risk factors for dyspnea. The risk factors for headaches were female sex, diabetes, and previous primary headaches. Furthermore, female sex and reusing masks for an extended period (> 6 h) were risk factors for facial disfigurement. The risk factors for excessive sweating were female sex and additional evening office practice for an extended period. Conclusions: Healthcare workers experienced several occupational hazards after using masks and PPE. Therefore, an appropriate policy is required to reduce such risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The health care workers'(HCWs) are working 24/7 in managing devastating pandemic Corona virus disease19(COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) as front liner which leads them to be at highest risk for contacting infection. In Bangladesh, being a lower middle-income country and densely populated, the burden is much more on HCWs. Methods: We did a cross-sectional study with an aim to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the HCWs in a COVID-19 dedicated tertiary care hospital. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS version-26. Multivariate regression analysis was done to evaluate risk factors responsible for COVID-19 infection and the severity of the COVID-19 disease. We expressed odds ratio with 95% CI, and considered the p-value of <0.05 as significant in the two-tailed test. Results: A total of 864 HCWs had participated with mean age of 34.16 ± 6.77 and 426 (49.31%) males. Among them 143 (16.55%) were tested RT-PCR positive for SARS-COV-2. Bronchial asthma/COPD and Hypertension were the most common co-morbidities with 23 (16.08%) for each. About 102 (71.33%) of the RT-PCR positive HCWs became symptomatic. Fever, cough and myalgia were the most common symptoms 84(82.35%), 67(65.69%) and 52(50.98%) respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed hypertension, gout, and working in the COVID-19 confirmed ward had a significant odds ratio for getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 [95% CI, p-value 1.91 (1.08 - 3.41), 0.027; 5.85 (1.33 - 25.74), 0.020; and 1.83 (1.10 - 3.03), 0.019]. Bronchial asthma/COPD and gout found to be risk factors for moderate to severe COVID-19 disease [95% CI, p-value 3.04 (1.01 - 9.21), 0.049 and 23.38 (3.42 - 159.72), 0.001]. Hospitalization rate was 12(85.7%), and 3(100%) and median hospital stays were 11 (5.5 - 15), and 20 (7 - 30) days for moderate and severe diseases respectively. Outcome was uneventful without any ICU admission and death. Conclusion: HCWs working in the COVID-19 confirmed ward are at increased risk of infection with SARS-COV-2. Some co-morbidities like hypertension and gout are important risk factors for contacting SARS-COV-2 infection. Bronchial asthma/COPD and gout favors disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]