Evaluation of the Work Context of the Extramural Vaccination Team during COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: With the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to expand the places where vaccines were administered beyond conventional health centers, called extramural places. The evaluation of these temporary environments becomes timely to identify working conditions that increase the risk to the worker, as well as to drive improvements for promoting occupational health.

Objective: To evaluate the work context of the COVID 19 extramural vaccination team.

Methods: A cross-sectional and quantitative study was carried out in an extramural vaccination unit in the southern region of Brazil, between the months of September and October 2022. The data were obtained by applying the Work Context Evaluation Scale to 21 members of the vaccination team. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. A score higher than or equal to 2.29 was considered a positive (satisfactory) result.

Results: Two nurses, four nursing assistants or technicians and 15 nursing interns participated. The average age, in years, was 29.6. No item was considered satisfactory for occupational health promotion. The factor working conditions obtained the highest mean, accounting for 3.6; followed by the factors work organization and socio-professional relations factors, with means of 3.4 and 3.3, respectively.

Conclusions: The vaccination team perceives weaknesses in the work process in the extramural vaccination environment, especially due to the precariousness of working conditions, with consequent risk factors for damage to the worker's health.