Risk perception of contracting COVID-19 among healthcare workers

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the dimensional validity of the perception scale of the risk of contracting COVID-19 and its association with sociodemographic and occupational factors, as well as with sleep complaints, among healthcare workers. Methods: cross-sectional study, carried out between May and August 2020, involving healthcare workers from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They filled in an online questionnaire regarding their work activities, risk perception of contracting COVID-19, and health behavior. We used factor analysis and binomial and multinomial regression models, adjusted for confounders. Results: 2,996 workers participated. Factor analysis confirmed the scale unidimensionality. Greater chances of high-risk perception were reported by women; caretakers of children/elderly; those with a work journey of more than 40h/week; workers from primary health care and emergency units, and from general and specialized hospitals. High risk perception was associated with altered sleep duration (OR = 2.39; 95%CI = 1.95; 2.94), use (OR = 2.08; 95%CI = 1.67; 2.58) and increased dose of sleep medications (OR = 1.91; 95%CI = 1.47; 2.48). Conclusion: risk perception was associated with women, caretakers of children/elderly, longer working hours, sleep complaints, and use of sleeping pills. Investigating factors associated with stressful events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can support actions planning aimed at preventing diseases among healthcare workers.