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), having a master's degree (aOR= 0.41), having a working day with less than ten hours (ORa=0.49) and obesity (aOR=0.38) 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), working in the hospitalization area (aOR=1.86) and having comorbidities such as arterial hypertension (aOR=0.28) and obesity (aOR=0.35). In relation to negative attitudes towards COVID 19, it was found that physical contact with patients with a confirmed diagnosis (aOR=1.84) and having asthma (aOR=2.13) were associated with these attitudes. Conclusion: Being married, having a master's degree, working less than ten hours were associated with having a low level of knowledge of COVID-19. Being older than 50, working in the hospitalization area were associated with preventive practices. Physical contact with COVID-19 patients was associated with negative attitudes.

Cross-Cultural Validation of a New Version in Spanish of Four Items of the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behaviors Scale (PCIBS) in Twelve Latin American Countries

“…A previous study in Mexico also reported similar results, indicating that the general population of that country performed an average of 13.5 preventive actions against COVID-19 from a range of 0 to 19 ( Sánchez-Arenas et al, 2021 ). In the Peruvian case, although there are no data on the frequency of preventive behaviors against COVID-19, a study with health professionals indicated that 31.5% presented high levels of preventive practices ( Rivera-Lozada et al, 2021 ). On the other hand, Uruguay was one of the countries with the lowest frequency of preventive behaviors.…”

Knowledge, attitude and preventive practice toward Covid-19 and associated factors among outpatients in a rural hospital in Vietnam

“…Furthermore, it was noted that poor knowledge about COVID-19 and negative attitudes toward the disease were associated with inadequate preventive behaviors. 6 , 27 , 28 …”

COVID-19 pandemic: perception, attitude, and practices of university students from health sector faculties

“…Also, Rivera-Lozada et al, [ 19 ] reported that the aspects most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare professionals were mental health and daily activities with a total of 37.4% ( n = 113) obtained scores above the 75th percentile, with a predominance of fear of becoming infected (49.7%), returning home and infecting the family (45%) and fearing of death from COVID 19 (49.7%) [ 20 ]. Having sufficient knowledge about the spread of the disease and the role of protective measures can reduce these fears and anxieties as research suggests that lack of knowledge can result in the overestimation of risks.…”