Paper Title: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Covid-19 Infection Prevention and Control Among Healthcare Workers in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Oboro I.L., Robinson N.I., Obunge O.K., Alex-Wele M.A., Ossai-Chidi L.N., Jonah A.A., Awopeju A.T.O., Omunakwe H., Lawson S.D., Wariso K.T., Nnadi C., Ogolo M., Anele P.E.
Article DOI:
Abstract/Summary:
Introduction: Knowledge gaps in addition to poor attitudes and practice towards COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures have reportedly contributed to the spread of SARS Corona virus type 2 (SARS CoV-2) among frontline healthcare workers. This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of COVID-19-related IPC measures among frontline health workers in Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among frontline health workers in Rivers State. The study tool was an online pretested questionnaire disseminated through WhatsApp and email. Blooms cutoff of 70% was used to determine good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice. Associations between variables (knowledge, attitude and practice) and demographics of respondents were also analyzed. All analyses were done at a 95% confidence interval and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of two hundred and twenty-four health workers responded. 87(38.8%) respondents had 11-20 years’ work experience while 23(10.3%) had worked for over 30years. Overall, 46.0% had sufficient knowledge and 42% expressed positive attitude; however, an overwhelming majority (90.2%) reported poor practice of COVID-19 IPC measures. Medical doctors had better knowledge of COVID-19 IPC measures while good practice was reported mostly by respondents with 11-20 years of work experience. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 IPC among health care workers in Rivers state is largely poor. Considering that these measures are useful for the prevention of a large variety of infections including those with the potential to assume outbreak proportions, we strongly recommend incorporation of IPC training into undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education programs of all specialties and for all cadres of health workers. Measures should also be instituted to encourage its practice for a safe and healthy healthcare workforce and environment.
Publication Date:
2020-12-31