Experience of healthcare workers infected with covid-19 in a selected hospital of Mumbai

Title with Purpose of the study: COVID-19 infection is spreading throughout the world and collapsing the morale of the world. In this pandemic the health care workers are at risk of contracting the pandemic due to direct exposure to the covid 19 positive patients. It is imperative to identify the risk factors and hence protect the healthcare workers in order to safeguard the patients and healthcare workers. The objective of the study was to assess the experience of healthcare workers infected with COVID-19. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital. Sample size was 110 selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. The tools used for the study were: Tool1: Demographic data consisting of demographic information of the healthcare workers infected with Covid 19. Tool 2 consisted of open ended questionnaires on experience of Covid 19. Data was collected and analysed by using inferential statistic method. Results: Analysis of the data has revealed that majority (24.5%) of the sample were in the age group of 25- 30 years of age. A vast majority (58.8%) of the samples were females. Among the various occupation, a vast majority (38.88%) of them were nurses. Interestingly, a majority of 67.27% of the healthcare workers infected were working in Covid area and 74.55% of the samples infected used PPE while on duty. An open ended questionnaire was given to all the samples, the content of which was collated, Experience was collated. The common theme identified were: Theme 1: Fear: Of being in isolation and fear of death, fear of being contaminated., Theme 2:Experience of infection: physical discomfort, Theme 3: Psychological effect- panic situation, loneliness due to isolation. Theme 4: Social impact: Social stigma, isolation, impact on near and dear ones by the society. Theme5: Spiritual bargaining.