Availability and use of personal protective equipment in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288465
• Publication Date: 2023-07-17T17:29:03Z
• Authors: Salomé Henriette ...; Tashrik Ahmed; Pablo Amor Fernandez; Prativa Baral; Michael Peters; Peter Hansen; Tawab Hashemi; Isidore Sieleunou; Munirat Iyabode O...; Alain-Desire Kari...; Julie Ruel Bergeron; Edwin Eduardo Mon...; Mohamed Lamine Ya...; Chea Sanford Wesseh; Charles Mwansambo; Charles Nzelu; Helal Uddin; Mahamadi Tassembedo; Gil Shapira
• Keywords: Personal Protective Equipment; Pandemic; Economic shortage

Availability and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is particular importance in Low Middle-Income countries (LMICs) where disease outbreaks other than COVID-19 are frequent health workers scarce. This study assesses the availability necessary PPE items during pandemic at facilities seven LMICs.Data were collected using a rapid-cycle survey among 1554 LMICs via phone-based surveys between August 2020 December 2021. We gathered data on World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended when examining patients suspected to be infected with COVID-19. further investigated implementation service adaptation measures severe shortage PPE.There major deficiencies facilities. Almost 3 out 10 reported stock-out medical masks day. Forty-six percent did not have respirator masks, 16% any gloves. show that only 43% had sufficient comply WHO guidelines. Even all available, healthcare treating wear recommended 61% find statistically significant difference implementing experiencing or not.After more year into pandemic, overall remained low our sample middle-income countries. Although essential, guarantee proper equipment. The lack improper available enable preventable transmission facilities, leading greater morbidity mortality risking continuity delivery by workers.