Abstract
Highlights Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue? • Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at considerable risk of occupational exposure to various pathogens because of insufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and increased infection risks. They face difficulties in acquiring enough PPE that meets quality and quantity standards. Due to limited supplies, they often reuse PPE, increasing their risk of contracting Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19). • HCWs are experiencing confusion and declining trust because of frequent updates to patient treatment guidelines and inconsistent PPE instructions. This undermines their confidence in proper PPE use, possibly causing them to improvise and jeopardize their protection. Such practices also negatively influence how they perceive PPE's overall effectiveness. Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health? • In the broader context of public health, protecting healthcare workers is essential for maintaining public trust and the efficiency of the health system during pandemics, as well as ensuring their safety. Lack of confidence in PPE can lead to burnout, increased absenteeism, and even staff attrition, all of which strain healthcare delivery. Additionally , the study's findings on perception differences among racial and occupational groups suggest that risk communication strategies may not be effectively reaching all HCWs, underscoring the need for inclusive and context-aware approaches. Therefore, addressing perceptions is a structural and policy priority for pandemic preparedness and response, alongside overcoming behavioral barriers. • The study's findings highlight critical public health concerns about healthcare systems' preparedness to protect frontline workers during infectious disease outbreaks. Despite a statistically significant correlation between positive perceptions and lower infection rates, only 57.07% of HCWs believed that PPE was effective in preventing COVID-19 infection. This indicates a lack of institutional support, risk communication, and training. These issues have serious implications for occupational health, as healthcare workers who do not see PPE as effective are more likely to ignore proper protective measures, increasing their risk of infection and the spread of nosocomial infections. Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers, and/or researchers in public health? • Healthcare facilities must focus on ongoing, practical PPE training for all healthcare workers, including support and secretarial staff who might often be overlooked. This Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 737 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23060737 Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 737 2 of 15 training should highlight the benefits of PPE, address perceived barriers with problem-solving and clear demonstrations, and boost awareness of infection risks and severity. • In resource-limited settings, healthcare facilities must ensure a consistent and equitable supply of PPE. This involves establishing monitoring systems to track PPE availability at the ward level, decentralizing PPE distribution, and implementing emergency procurement procedures. Daily use and supply of PPE by HCWs, especially face masks, help lower the risk of COVID-19 infection. Abstract