Availability, Satisfaction and Use of Personal Protective Equipment Among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Sarfraz, Azza; Sarfraz, Zouina; Anwer, Ammar; Sarfraz, Muzna; Siddiq, Javaria

OBJECTIVE To assess the discrepancy among and within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) regarding PPE availability, use, and satisfaction. METHODS The study population consisted of healthcare workers from LMICs who partook in the questionnaire survey from March 1, 2020, until April 15, 2020. RESULTS In the bivariate analysis, gender (p = 0.05), HCWs (p < 0.01), and of care (p < 0.01) were associated with the public or private sector (p < 0.05). Using multivariate analysis, PPE factors were associated with the health sector (p < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression model determined a Pearson's χ2 of 706.736 (d.f. = 726, p = -0.689) and a c-statistic of 0.592, indicating a good model. CONCLUSION In LMICs, huge discrepancies are present in PPE provision to HCWs, especially among the public healthcare sectors. Efforts at national and international protective levels ought to be addressed to protect frontline HCWs at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.