Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-19 in health care professionals in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, we are facing a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, known globally as COVID-19, which is considered a threat to global health due to its high contagiousness and rapid spread. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study in 302 health professionals. An online questionnaire consisting of questions about knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 was applied. Socio-demographic, occupational and comorbidities factors were explored. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with KAP. Results: Of the total, 25.2%, 31.5% and 37.4% had high levels of knowledge, preventive practices and risk perception attitudes respectively. Being married aOR=6.75 IC(1.46-31.2) p=0.014, having a master's degree aOR=0.4, IC(0.21-0.80) p=0.009, having a working day with less than ten hours ORa=0.49 IC(0.25-0.95) p=0.036 and obesity aOR=0.38 IC (0.15-0.95) p=0.039 were associated with a low level of knowledge of COVID-19. The variables associated with preventive practices were being over the age of 50 aOR=0.52 IC(0.27-0.98) p=0.007, working in the hospitalization area aOR=1.86 IC(1.08-3.18) p= 0.018 and having comorbidities such as arterial hypertension aOR=0.28 IC(0.081-0.99) p=0.02 and obesity aOR=0.35 IC(0.14-0.83) p=0.019. In relation to negative attitudes towards COVID-19, it was found that physical contact with patients with a confirmed diagnosis aOR=1.84 IC (1.14-2.97) p=0.006 and having asthma aOR=2.13 IC(1.081-4.22) p=0.029 were associated with these attitudes. Conclusion: Our study revealed that health professionals have an insufficient level of knowledge of COVID-19. This is why we recommend implementing strategies such as health literacy programs among health care workers. Thus, they can help develop positive attitudes towards the acquisition of self-care habits at work that, in turn, improve their confidence so that health care workers can provide adequate care for their patients and protect themselves.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning COVID-19 Outbreaks in the General Population in Malang District, Indonesia

“…Our multivariate analysis indicated that individuals with more accurate knowledge and more positive attitudes had more frequent best practices than their counterparts. These findings corroborate previous studies in South Korea, China, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Peru, which reported that sufficient knowledge is necessary for more positive attitudes and more frequent best practices during the pandemic [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 ]. However, the findings contradict a study in Ecuador, Iran, and Bangladesh, and a prior study in Indonesia, both of which found discrepancies in this area [ 4 , 23 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Assessment of COVID-19 prevention practice and associated factors in Jimma town, Ethiopia: A mixed study

“…Therefore, this also underscores that there is a need to conduct social and behavioral change communication interventions that target all community members regardless of their age category to adhere to the preventive measures. Similarly, this finding was supported by a study conducted among educated persons and health professionals in Peru and Ethiopia ( 17 – 19 ). On the other hand, the present finding was contrary to the study performed in Egypt which revealed that young age was a good protective age ( 20 ).…”

Survey of Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) concerning COVID-19 Infection Control after Being Involved in Vaccine Preparation: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…As a result, their knowledge scores may be higher. Conversely, there have been reports that no association exists between gender and knowledge in KAP surveys conducted with healthcare professionals [ 28 , 38 , 39 ]. It has been speculated that this is because healthcare workers are involved in COVID-19 infection control regardless of gender.…”