Introduction. Assessment of the occupational risk of exposure to the
new coronavirus of workers engaged in the COVID-19 Departments
of the University Clinical Center of Republic of Srpska and the use of
personal protective equipment was the aim of this research.
Method. In the University Clinical Center of Republic of Srpska (UKC
RS), in the COVID-19 Departments, a KAP study (Knowledge Attitudes
Practice Study) was conducted among 102 employees of all educational profiles, using the questionnaire of the World Health Organization (WHO), which was adapted for this research. The survey was
voluntary and anonymous with the informed approval consent of the
respondent.
Results. Out of 102 surveyed, 13 of them tested positive for SARSCoV-2. On average, 95.0% of respondents always wear PPE in the
COVID-19 Departments of the UKC RS. Putting on/removing PPE and
decontamination of contact surfaces have been always carried out by
88.2% of respondents. Out of 64 respondents who used PPE for aerosol generating procedures, 10 of them (15.6%) were positive for SARSCoV-2 and of the other 38 respondents who did not participate in
such procedures, three of them (7.9%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Statistical data processing was done in the SPSS program package,
version 20.0, with a significance level of difference of 5% (p=0.412).
Conclusion. There was no significant difference between SARSCoV-2 positive and negative personnel regarding the use and change
of PPE, hand hygiene and surface decontamination. The assessment
of the occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, in addition to the
proper use of PPE, takes into account the local epidemiological situation, specific characteristics of the work environment and tasks, the
hierarchy of controls and the level of adherence to preventive measures and infection control.
