Women healthcare professionals' experiences and needs regarding the COVID-19 pandemic from a gender perspective.

BACKGROUND

Accounting for 70% of healthcare workers worldwide, and 56% in Turkey, women continue to be the frontline fighters in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Their needs may be overlooked as a result of their growing responsibilities both in their professional and private lives. This descriptive study aimed at identifying the gendered needs and experiences of women healthcare workers in Turkey throughout the pandemic.

METHOD

This study consists of 1082 healthcare professionals' responses of various positions across several provinces and facilities, collected through a web-based survey of 50 questions.

RESULTS

Almost all participants (94%) expressed feeling anxious over the pandemic regardless of their working units. Four out of ten (38%) respondents noted working for 41 h or more on average weekly, and most of the participants who worked for long hours were assigned in COVID-19 units. Non-clinical personnel reported less difficulty in work/life balance. 64% of the respondents reported not having gone through any training on COVID-19, and eight out of ten (81%) said they had information needs. Research findings suggest that 92% of participants' needs remained unmet. While 74% of the respondents pointed out not having an income that is worthwhile, 72% referred to the need for psychosocial support, 58% need for support in domestic work and 37% support for child care as their primary needs.

CONCLUSION

Results of the research highlighted the gendered needs of women healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and disseminate protective and preventive health policies and practices through a gender responsive approach.