How community health workers are facing COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: personal feelings, access to resources and working process

Descrição do produto

Referência
FERNANDEZ, Michelle; LOTTA, Gabriela. How community health workers are facing COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: personal feelings, access to resources and working process. Archives of Family Medicine and General Practice, v. 5, p. 115, 2020. DOI: 10.36959/577/492.

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 is a disease that has spread rapidly in various regions of the world, with different impacts. In order to face the pandemic, the work of community health workers (CHWs) is important in vulnerable places like Brazil.

Objective
This study aimed to analyze the response of CHWs during the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on personal feelings, access to preparedness and equipment, and the working process.

Methods
An online survey was applied from April 15 to May 1, 2020. The limitations imposed by the pandemic hindered a probabilistic sample design so that the sample was collected by convenience from voluntary responses. The survey was carried out with 882 CHWs.

Results
CHWs feel scared and unprepared in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fear of COVID-19 is related to being prepared and to receiving support from federal government. The feeling of preparedness is associated with the lack of material working conditions, such as PPEs, guidance from managers and support from superiors and federal government.

Conclusions
The CHWs' work is jeopardized without support and adequate working conditions. Although health professionals are central to combating the pandemic, alternate methods are needed to support CHWs in successfully performing their duties during the COVID-19 pandemic.