Awareness and Behavior Analysis of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use in Clinical Settings: A Study from an Occupational Safety Perspective

Abstract

This study analyzes the awareness, behavior, and attitudes of healthcare workers working in clinical settings toward the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) from an occupational safety perspective. The study, conducted with a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) research design, included 372 healthcare workers working in six different hospitals in Antalya, Turkey. Quantitative findings revealed that 92% of workers were aware of the importance of PPE, but only 58% used the equipment regularly. This result suggests a significant behavioral gap between awareness and behavior (r = 0.42, p < 0.01).
Qualitative analyses revealed that the primary factors determining sustainable behavior in PPE use are organizational support, managerial exemplary behavior, ergonomic comfort, and psychosocial well-being. The loss of comfort associated with prolonged PPE use, particularly in hot and humid climates, negatively impacts behavioral continuity. Furthermore, increased emotional exhaustion and stress significantly reduce PPE compliance.
The research demonstrates that safe behavior should be supported not only by individual awareness but also by organizational culture, leadership style, and technological monitoring systems. The results suggest that integrating ergonomic design, digital monitoring systems, and psychosocial support programs will play a critical role in building a sustainable safety culture in the future of clinical safety.