Occupational Exposure of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Field Surveillance Activities in South India: A Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study

Context: Health Care Workers (HCWs) involved in field-level activities are exposed to COVID-19 which puts them under physical and psychological stress. Aim: The objective of this study was to understand the perception of the health care workers regarding their occupational exposure to COVID-19, including the safety measures used during field surveillance activities. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2020 to July 2020 among the health care workers involved in COVID-19 field containment activities in two south Indian states—Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Methods and Material: Respondents were purposively sampled based on their involvement in the COVID-19 field level activities. Sixteen In-Depth Interviewees (IDIs) were conducted telephonically with medical officers, district epidemiologists, community health workers, sanitary workers, emergency medical technicians, and ambulance coordinators. Statistical Analysis Used: IDIs were analyzed using manual thematic analysis. Results: Seven themes and sub-themes emerged: awareness and training, occupational exposure to COVID-19 and duration, safety measures, occupational burnout, social stigma, psychological violence, and facilitating factors. Respondents felt a high level of occupational exposure to COVID-19 in addition to increased workload and stress due to fear of infection, shortage of workforce, denial of week off, psychological violence, and social stigma which affected them deeply. Support from supervisors and family, and measures ensuring the safety of women were facilitating factors to cope with the situation. Conclusions: It is important to safeguard the general and mental health of field-level health workers involved in COVID-19 activities, to keep their morale high during the continuing pandemic.