Estresse ocupacional entre cirurgiões-dentistas do setor privado no Paraná durante a pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze individual and organizational factors associated with occupational stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among dental surgeons working in private outpatient dental services in the State of Paraná. The cross-sectional and analytical study is part of the multicenter research "Biosafety in Dentistry for the confrontation of COVID-19: analysis of practices and formulation of strategies" carried out in Southern Brazil. The non-probabilistic convenience sample was obtained by sending an online form (Google Forms®) via e-mail to theRegional Councils of Dentistry and dissemination of the research in social networks. The unpublished questionnaire contained open and closed questions addressing sociodemographic characteristics, academic and work background; biosafety and work process when facing COVID-19; information and continuing education; perception about anxiety and emotional aspects of work. Questions related to biosafety and work process were answered on a Likert frequency scale. The outcome of the study refers to occupational stress with the use of two questions, with a Likert scale of agreement. The statements below were selected as proxies for occupational stress: a) I feel knowledgeable and confident enough to work adequately in dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic; b) I feel anxious and worried about working adequatelyin dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent variables were organized according to the theoretical explanatory model proposed, being grouped into: individual factors (sociodemographic and professional background) and organizational and extra-organizational factors (sources of work-related stress). Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and bivariate analysis (chi-square; p<0.05), and multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05). A total of 384 professionals were included. The participants were mostly women (74.7%) up to 39 years old (51.0%), who had completed their professional training within 10 years (39.3%). The multivariate analysis showed a higher chance of being insecure and less prepared to work in the pandemic among younger women, who had not been instructed in the workplace regarding the COVID-19 prevention and control measures, and who never/almost never removed personal protective equipment following the recommended sequence (p<0.05). Younger professionals (upto 39 years old), who almost never/never participated in decision making, who "sometimes" performed four-handed dental procedures were more likely to be anxious and worried in relationto their work during the pandemic (p<0.05). Our results led to the conclusion that individual factors such as gender and age, and organizational factors related to work and biosafety were associated with occupational stress among dental surgeons at the private outpatient level in the State of Paraná during the COVID-19 pandemic.