Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Toward COVID-19 in Primary Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Three Tertiary Care Hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

An online cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among primary health care providers (PHPs) at three tertiary care hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. Data was collected via email and online social media platforms. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for data analysis. Among the total participants (n = 114), 74 (66.7%) were male and 37 (33.3%) were female. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 12.7 ± 0.89, 8.9 ± 4.1 and 7.3 ± 1.2, respectively. Most of the participants knew the term COVID-19 and its mode of transmission (90%), signs and symptoms (84%) and risk factors (72%) associated with it. Most of the participants agreed that COVID-19 can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing (74.3%) and 84.6% were in favor that COVID-19 can be prevented by adopting preventive measures. Around 68.8% of the participants disagreed with the use of antibiotics in the prevention of COVID-19. Ninety percent of the respondents were avoiding close contact with the people having cough and flu-like symptoms. Most PHPs had good knowledge, positive attitude and reasonable practices regarding COVID-19. Moreover, focused training programs for PHPs at the Government level can further improve their understanding of risks and preventive strategies related to COVID-19, which will help them to provide appropriate care to their patients as well as to protect themselves from this infection.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among Pakistani residents: information access and low literacy vulnerabilities

“…Most of these studies have indicated a good knowledge about the common signs and symptoms (84-93%) and preventive strategies related to COVID-19 (72-92%). However, few (55%) were aware of the correct incubation period of the disease, as evident through our study (14,15). Another community-based survey showed relatively poor knowledge about the disease, where only 45.3% of the study population considered close physical contact as a risk factor for the spread of infection (16).…”

<p>Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Associated Factors Regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic</p>

“…23 According to the research done among 114 primary healthcare providers in Pakistan, the majority (90.7%) of them had good overall knowledge about COVID-19, with a mean knowledge score of 12.7±0.89 (range=0-14). 24 The study done among 6910 participants in China showed that the overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 90%, with a mean score of 10.8 (SD=1.6, range=0-12). 25 In the Philippines, a research study conducted among 2090 respondents showed that 89.5% of them were able to identify coughing and sneezing as a transmission route, 72.6% of them recognized a transmission route was indirect hand contact, 82.2% of them recognized hand washing, 32.4% of them identified social distancing, and 40.6% of them recognized avoiding crowds as potential preventive measures.…”

“…23 According to a study done among 114 primary healthcare providers in Pakistan, the majority (90%) of them had a positive attitude towards COVID-19 infection, with a mean score of 8.9±4.1). 24 A study done among 6910 participants in China revealed that the majority (90.8%) of them had an optimistic attitude towards the COVID-19 epidemic. 25 In Jordan, research conducted among 368 dentists showed that 55.2% of them reported that COVID-19 symptoms often resolve with time and do not require any special treatment, 74.7% of them believed that it was necessary to ask patients to sit far from each other, wear masks while in the waiting room, and wash hands before getting in the dental chair to decrease disease transmission, and 82.6% of them reported that they prefer to avoid working with a patient with a suspected case of COVID-19.…”

“…23 Research done among 114 primary healthcare providers in Pakistan indicated that the overall COVID-19 preventive practices were good, with a mean practice score of 7.3±1.2. 24 In China, research conducted among 6910 participants showed that 96.4% of them had not visited any crowded place, and 98.0% of them wore masks when going out in recent days. 25 According to a study conducted among 2090 respondents in the Philippines, 89.9% of them applied hand washing as a preventive practice to COVID-19, 62.9% of them reported that they now avoid crowded places because of COVID-19, 40.6% of them selected avoiding large crowds as a preventive measure against the virus, 32.4% of them selected social distancing as an option, and 28.0% of them reported wearing face masks as a response to the virus.…”

Heat Stress and Thermal Perception amongst Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India and Singapore

“…While studies surveying the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HCWs have emerged [6,12,13], none so far has quantified the KAP of HCWs regarding PPE use and heat stress management during this pandemic. For this reason, the primary aim of this study was to assess the KAP of HCWs from India and Singapore on PPE usage and heat stress when performing treatment and care activities (TCAs) during the COVID-19 global pandemic.…”