Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Barriers to the Use of Personal Protective Equipment in Selected AJA Healthcare Centers During the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Descriptive Analytical Study

Abstract

Background: The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most critical measures to protect healthcare staff from infections, particularly during outbreaks of infectious and emerging diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of PPE was emphasized alongside vaccination as key strategies in preventing the spread of the virus. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the barriers to PPE use from the perspective of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted with 230 nurses working in COVID-19 wards at five AJA hospitals in Tehran between November 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Nurses were selected using a convenience sampling method based on predefined inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made 22-item questionnaire on barriers to PPE use. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19 statistical software, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: Among the participants, 55.7% were male, 53.9% were married, and 84.8% held a bachelor’s degree. The results showed that organizational barriers were more influential than individual barriers in the decision not to use PPE, with an average score of 97 out of 100. Furthermore, factors such as age, gender, wearing glasses, and nurses’ work shifts were significantly associated with non-compliance with PPE use (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Nurses identified organizational barriers as the primary reason for not using PPE. Given the critical role of PPE in preventing diseases, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that healthcare organizations ensure the availability of PPE and provide comprehensive training to nurses on the proper use of this equipment.