Keywords
Coronavírus
Headache
Personal Protection Equipament
Healthcare professionals
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between headache and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with dentists and physicians in Rio Grande do Norte, using an adapted questionnaire to assess headache symptoms. Data were statistically analyzed using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's tests. Results: The sample comprised 181 professionals, with 23.2% being physicians and 76.8% being dentists, mostly female. Among professionals working in outpatient settings, 84% and 43.6% reported a positive response to headache, with female participants being more likely to develop headaches. Increased use of PPE (n=158), face masks with goggles or face shields (n=175), or N95 or PFF-2 masks (n=160) were not related to headaches. However, their use for 5 hours or more (n=106) was statistically significant. Reports of bilateral headaches, pain in the parietal and temporal regions, and all over the head, pain quality, time interval, and intensity were significant for headache development due to PPE use. Conclusion: The frequent use of PPE may be a triggering or exacerbating factor for headaches, directly influencing the performance of these professionals.
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