Health Professionals’ Safety in Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perceptions from a Brazilian Municipality

Health professionals’ safety is directly linked to organizational culture, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, weaknesses at organizational, emotional, professional, and structural levels became evident. This study aimed to assess health professionals’ perceptions of their safety in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted with professionals from the public health network of a Brazilian municipality who had taken medical leave due to COVID-19. Data were collected between October and December 2022 using the validated Questionnaire on Health Professional Safety in the COVID-19 Pandemic (QSP COVID-19), which consists of 30 items distributed across four domains: organizational, emotional, professional, and structural. A cut-off score ≥75 was considered a positive perception. Associations were tested using the chi-square test followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test, and multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify associated factors. Significance level: 5%. A total of 235 professionals participated, mostly women (81.7%), working in primary health care (68.1%), and employed under statutory contracts (74.5%). Only 50.6% reported an overall positive perception of safety. The emotional domain showed the highest score (85.5%), followed by the professional domain (74.0%). Organizational (50.6%) and structural (33.6%) domains had the lowest scores, reflecting shortcomings in infrastructure, human resources, and material supplies. In the multivariate analysis, temporary contracts, a 20 h workweek, and specific training were protective factors, whereas belonging to a risk group and being female increased the likelihood of negative perception in the structural dimension. Health professionals’ safety is supported by continuous education, emotional support, adequate infrastructure, professional recognition, participatory leadership, and strengthening of the safety culture.