Fatores associados ao consumo de álcool entre profissionais da saúde durante a pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: During the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals had their physical and mental well-being directly impacted by the new work routine and vulnerability due to direct exposure to the virus. Objective: The aim was to identify factors associated with alcohol consumption among healthcare professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with healthcare professionals working at the 24-hour Emergency Care Unit (UPA) in the interior of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data collection was carried out after inviting UPA professionals, both on-line (Google Forms) and in person, through self-completion of a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively and using association tests. The study was ethically approved by the Federal University of Mato Grosso under number 4,526,452. Results: Findings revealed a population of workers predominantly female and from the nursing team. 45 healthcare professionals participated in the study, 73% female, 62% aged 22 to 39 years, 58% self-declared as pardos (mixed race), 47% married, and 78% with a college degree. The sample was made up of nursing team professionals (56%), physicians (13%), radiology technicians (9%), pharmacy assistants (9%), pharmacists (7%), physiotherapists (4%), and nutritionists (2%). Most professionals had been working at the UPA for 2 years (49%) or 2 to 4 years (49%), with a formal employment contract (89%), and 49% were hired during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alcohol consumption was reported by 62% of healthcare professionals, with a highlight on high-risk (16%) and severe-risk (18%) drinking patterns, with a preference for beer and its derivatives (58%). Considering professional and alcohol consumption aspects during Covid-19, a strong association was observed with the alcohol consumption pattern during the pandemic (C= 0.707, p=<0.00), highlighting an increase in alcohol consumption among 32% of professionals; and with the profession of the professionals (C= 0.334), with nurses (43%) and pharmacy assistants (11%) standing out when compared to the non-alcohol user group. Alcohol consumption was concentrated among workers with a ≥30h workweek (89%) and did not influence the professionals' satisfaction level with their work at the UPA (64% satisfied). There was a higher rate of work absenteeism due to mental illness (18%) and presence of conflicts within the work team (68%) among professionals who reported alcohol consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was observed that the use of sleeping medication and controlled substances (25% and 18% respectively) was more common among professionals who consumed alcohol, compared to the abstinent group. Physical (39%) and mental (32%) fatigue showed a slight increase among professionals who consumed alcohol during the pandemic. Conversely, physical fatigue was higher among professionals in the non-alcoholconsuming group. Conclusion: The results reinforce the need for health promotion actions, stress management, encouragement of self-care, and prevention and resolution of internal conflicts, as all these factors pose a serious health risk to workers. Similarly, it underscores the important role of healthcare managers in managing the work environment and promoting health, well-being, and safety.