Infection control Knowledge, Practices, and Perceived barriers towards COVID-19 among physicians in university hospitals, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11th March 2020. Due to the lack of adequate treatment and approved vaccines, proper infection control practices are the only effective tools for prevention and control of COVID-19 infection among the health care facilities. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the infection control knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers towards COVID-19 among physicians working at Ain Shams University hospitals. Methods: Cross-sectional was carried out among a sample of physicians working at Ain Shams university hospitals, Cairo, Egypt, by using an online questionnaire. The design of the questionnaire was based mainly on the WHO guidance for infection prevention and control during health care when novel coronavirus infection is suspected and CDC guidance for COVID-19. Results: A total of 318 physicians with different job titles and specialties participated in this study, results showed average infection control knowledge (the mean correct answer rate was 57.1%+ 15.9%) and practices (infection control practices score was 78.76% + 12.17%) among our studied group. Patients overload and improper design of the working places were perceived as barriers to infection control practices by the majority (90%) of our participants. Conclusion: Our study results showed average infection control knowledge and practices towards COVID-19. There are defects in certain aspects related to infection control knowledge and practices that needed more practical training and properly designed working places to improve it.