Impact of COVID-19 on Libyan Laboratory Specialists: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background and objectives: coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) is a global health problem. laboratory professionals are at a higher risk of contracting the disease during the covid-19 pandemic. this study was conducted to examine lab professionals' perceptions and satisfaction with organizational processes during the covid-19 outbreak.methods: this cross-sectional survey was carried out on 53 medical laboratory professionals working at laboratories in tripoli (libya) between november 2020 and january 2021. data were collected via face-to-face questionnaire. responses to questions were scored based on a five-point likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 2= disagree, 3=neutral, 4=agree and 5=strongly agree). data were presented as frequency and percentages using the microsoft excel 2016.results: most participants were female (81.2%) and with less than five years of work experience (39.6%). the majority of respondents (79.3%) had a bachelor’s degree. most healthcare workers (75.5%) were unaware whether the lab would provide medical care if they were tested positive for covid-19, while 13.2% of them perceived that they will get free medical care. owing to social distancing, 20 subjects (37.7%) felt that their social activities have been altered during break time. only 3.7% of the participants believed that their motivation level decreased due to the covid-19 outbreak.conclusion: the outcomes of this study provide laboratorians’ perspective in the covid-19 crisis as well as specific lessons for future unpredicted crises.