1. Introduction

According to the guide “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” [1,2,5] developed by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the classification of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on workers was developed and divided into very high, high, medium, and low levels. The highest level of this classification includes doctors, nurses, dentists, paramedics, emergency medicine doctors, laboratory workers, and specialists in pathological anatomy. According to scientific and research works, medical workers who worked during the pandemic were in the 3^rd class of harmful and dangerous factors of the working environment, with a rating of not less than 3.3 [4]. Another study described the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of medical workers, resulting in depression, anxiety, and stress. It concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to depression, anxiety, and stress among medical workers [2,3].

2. Research Objective

The main aim of this research work is to study the working conditions of medical workers who treat and care for patients infected with COVID-19.

3. Object and Subject of the Research

The research work was carried out at Zangiota No. 2 hospital, a medical institution specializing in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19 in the city of Tashkent. The study involved a sanitary-hygienic assessment of treatment conditions within the hospital, focusing on key areas such as reception, wards, intensive care units, and sorting areas.

4. The Main Section

Anonymous questionnaires were used to study and evaluate the health of employees during the investigation of indoor air and surface contamination in the hospital specializing in the treatment of COVID-19. These questionnaires also aimed to assess the hygienic factors of the hospital's indoor air. At least 15% of the total number of employees participated in the surveys, totaling 75 employees.

According to questionnaire, 34 (43.5%) men and 41 (54.7%) women participated in the survey. In terms of age groups, 14 (18.7%) were aged 18-24, 37 (49.3%) were aged 25-34, 22 (29.3%) were aged 35-44, and 2 (2.7%) were aged 45-54. Regarding marital status, 14 (18.7%) were unmarried, 60 (80%) were married, and 1 (1.3%) was divorced. It was found that 39 (52%) of the respondents have a higher education and 36 (48%) have secondary education. In terms of length of service, 51 (68%) have 1-10 years of experience, 22 (29.3%) have 11-20 years, and 2 (2.7%) have 21 or more years. Regarding job types of medical workers, 37 (49.3%) are treating doctors, 12 (16%) are nurses, 3 (4%) are receptionists (support staff), 9 (12%) are laboratory workers, and 2 are other staff (including roles in activities such as X-ray/radiology and sanitation). 75 staff members surveyed, 25 (33.3%) worked in the outpatient department, 31 (41.3%) in the intensive care unit, 11 (14.7%) in reception, and 1 (1.3%) as sanitation workers. The next section of the questionnaire focused on assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the health of medical workers at Zangiota Hospital No. 2, specializing in the treatment of COVID-19 patients (Table 1). It was found that during the study period, 16 (21.3%) hospital employees contracted COVID-19, while 59 (78.7%) did not. Regarding exposure, 58 (77.3%) had direct contact (within 1 meter) with a COVID-19-infected patient, 6 (8%) did not have such contact, and 11 (14.7%) were unsure. Similarly, 58 (77.3%) reported direct contact with a surface contaminated with COVID-19, while 6 (8%) did not have contact within 1 meter, and 11 (14.7%) were unsure.

Table 1. Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the health of medical staff working at Zangiota hospital No. 2, specializing in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19 (N=75)

To analyze the risk of COVID-19 transmission among doctors during their work processes, we investigated their involvement in aerosol-generating procedures. Out of 75 employees surveyed, 32 (42.6%) answered "Yes," while 43 (57.3%) answered "No." Additionally, 12 (16%) employees indicated "Yes," and 47 (62.7%) answered "No." Moreover, 16 (21.3%) employees responded with "Unknown." According to research conducted by global scientists, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by medical staff at Zangiota Hospital No. 2, specializing in COVID-19 patient treatment, is crucial in mitigating COVID-19 transmission risks, as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Assessment of the use of personal protective equipment by medical staff working at Zangiota Hospital No. 2, specializing in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19 (N=75)

Out of a total of 75 workers, 66 (88%) used personal protective equipment (PPE) during aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) while caring for patients with COVID-19, while the remaining 9 (12%) did not use PPE. Additionally, 73 (97.3%) staff used PPE when interacting with COVID-19 patients, with 2 (2.7%) not using PPE. Regarding mask replacement when wet, 73 (97.3%) employees answered "Yes," and 2 (2.7%) answered "No." For disposing of wet PPE in the waste bin, 74 (98.7%) employees answered "Yes," and 1 (1.3%) answered "No." Furthermore, 74 (98.7%) employees practiced hand hygiene after removing PPE, while 1 (1.3%) did not. Regarding COVID-19 training, 47 (62.7%) of the 75 employees who tested positive for COVID-19 received training (in-service or online), while 27 (36.0%) did not, and 1 (1.3%) was uncertain.

According to Table 3, we aimed to assess the utilization of personal protective equipment components during interactions with patients at Zangiota Hospital No. 2, specializing in COVID-19 treatment. Given the epidemiologically contagious nature of COVID-19, it was mandatory for all staff to consistently use PPE during the pandemic. Based on questionnaire results, the use of PPE components during interactions with COVID-19 patients varied: always (50%-95% of the time), sometimes (20%-50% of the time), rarely (less than 20% of the time), and occasionally "I do not know."

Table 3. Assessment of the utilization of personal protective equipment components during interactions with patients at Zangiota Hospital No. 2, specializing in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19 (N=75)

Thus, it can be concluded that employees were at risk of contracting COVID-19 infection during their work. According to Table 4, cases with a high risk of contracting the disease were identified through questionnaires administered to hospital staff specializing in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Table 4

Using questionnaires, medical staff specializing in the treatment of COVID-19 patients identified high-risk conditions for contracting the disease, such as age groups of staff, educational background, department where medical staff work, adherence to PPE usage during procedures, COVID-19 training, and direct face-to-face contact with patients within 1 meter. These factors play a crucial role in protecting their health. Prioritizing employee health in terms of protection can reduce illness among staff and prevent disabilities.

5. Conclusions

Through questionnaires, hospital staff specializing in the treatment of COVID-19 patients identified high-risk conditions for contracting the disease. These include age groups of staff, education level, department where medical staff work, proximity to patients, adherence to PPE usage during medical procedures, completion of COVID-19 training, and face-to-face contact with patients within 1 meter. Addressing these factors is crucial for protecting employee health, reducing illness among staff, and preventing disabilities.