Factors associated with workplace insecurity in brazilian Unified Health System’s oral health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: to analyze the factors associated with workplace insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic among oral healthcare providers of the Unified Health System of the state of Ceará. Methods: cross-sectional study with secondary data made available by the Health Care Coordination, which were collected in May 2020. Logistic regression models were constructed. Results: in total, 801 professionals participated in this research, of whom 72.8% were dentists, 73.9% reported receiving only some of the recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and 58.2% reported feeling unsafe to carry out work activities. In the adjusted analysis, the following factors were associated with workplace insecurity: permanent employment (OR=1.85; 95%CI: 1.15; 2.99) and not receiving all the recommended PPE (OR=1.84; 95%CI: 1.16; 2.91); whereas the chance of feeling insecure was higher among dental assistants and technicians (OR=2.13; 95%CI 1.34; 3.40) than among dental surgeons. Conclusion: professionals reported workplace insecurity during the first wave of the pandemic. This study shows the need for improving working conditions with equal distribution of PPE throughout the state, ensuring safer working conditions.