Obstacles and Needs of First Responders in Northern Region: a Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

First responders (FRs) are at high risk of infections at work. This study aimed to determine the obstacles and needs that FRs encounter. The samples were FRs who worked in 8 provinces in northern region. Data were collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Two hundred and sixty-two FRs responded to the questionnaire survey (response rate of 84.5%). Obstacles faced by FRs included insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) (56.5%); insufficient personnel (53.8%); lack of budget for medical equipment, emergency equipment, and transferring equipment (49.6%, 47.7% and 40.8%); lack of mental support (37.4%); insufficient training (34.4%); lack of communication devices maintenance (25.1%); and lack of budget for vehicle maintenance (24.4%). FRs’ needs included PPE (84.0%), training and enhancing skills (66.0% and 64.9%), budget (58.8%), compensation (56.1%), life insurance (53.4%), and infection prevention guidelines (48.1%). The results from focus group discussions with 106 personnel revealed that the obstacles included unclear and incorrect information from patients and their relatives, insufficient and poor quality of PPE, and lack of knowledge on infection prevention. FRs needed knowledge on disease prevention, observation of patient’s symptoms and self-detection of infection symptoms, including those from dangerous chemical substances. Support needs included annual physical examination, immunization, accident insurance, infection prevention guidelines and PPE. Enhancement of FRs knowledge in prevention of bloodborne infection at work and sufficient support and good quality PPE including necessary working equipment, could help reduce the incidence of bloodborne infection and impact of work-related infection among FRs.