Knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare workers of Karnataka, India: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is a Public health emergency of international concern which has affected over 213 countries infecting millions across the globe and also affected the economy worldwide. This study was conducted in Healthcare Workers as they are the frontline warriors in fighting this pandemic and their knowledge, attitude and practices towards the disease are valuable.Methods: Online cross sectional study was conducted on Healthcare Workers. A self-administered Google form was used to collect the data through social media. Data was analyzed using MS Excel. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant obtained using SPSS version 22.Results: The mean age among the participants was 30.7±9.9 years. Majority were in the age group of 20-30 years (60.9%), followed by 31-40 years (18.9%), 41.-50 years (9.1%) and >50 years (5.4%). 46.3% of the participants were females and 53.0% were males. 37.1% were doctors, 14.0% are nurses and 46.9% are paramedical staff. In the present study, Mean knowledge score is 5.86±1.32, mean attitude score is 6.48±0.93 and the mean practice score is 4.60±0.79, thus 95.7% of the participants have good knowledge and attitude, where as 90.3% have good practices towards COVID-19.Conclusions: The HCWs of Karnataka have good knowledge, positive attitude and good practices. To further improve their preparedness and response towards infectious diseases and pandemics mandatory training programs can be introduced, as such programs enhances knowledge and boosts confidence among HCWs which is very crucial in medical as well as public health emergencies.

Hepatitis update program: need of the situation to co-manage viral hepatitis and COVID-19

“…Similar independent association was observed in a studies related to COVID-19. 20,21 However, the present study didn't show significant association with age and years of experience as observed in previous studies. This could be explained as the COVID-19 is a novel disease with limited and accurate resources, about management of viral hepatitis patients during COVID-19, hence age and experience couldn't have a role in increasing the knowledge related to management of viral hepatitis patients during COVID-19.…”

“…15,20 Another study from India reported a higher knowledge as compared to the present study, this could be attributable to variation in the questionnaire. 21 The knowledge score in pre knowledge assessment was found to be significantly associated with factors such as gender, years of experience, geographical location, type of facility working and educational qualification of the participants. However, only gender, type of facility working and educational qualification of the participants were found to be independently associated after adjusting for various other factors.…”

Study on the undergraduate interns of a medical college in eastern India: the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 pandemic preparation

“…As we all know, to establish preventive thoughts, affirmative attitudes, and positive practices, knowledge is a definite prerequisite. [12][13][14][15][16] Personal cognition can be shaped in such way where the healthcare worker can cope up with much more insight. 23 The present study complies with the fact that knowledge can induce positive attitudes.…”

“…23 The present study complies with the fact that knowledge can induce positive attitudes. [13][14][15][16] A healthcare worker can impart more confidence in dealing with the virus if one has sufficient knowledge. This finding, as mentioned in table 5, is at par with prior studies on similar topic from different parts of the world 9,12,14,15 as well as in India.…”

“…Prior Indian studies focused on the issue keeping an eye over the healthcare workers as a whole, though there is a dearth of literature where only the medical interns were assessed in India. 16,17 Under the circumstances, it is emphatic to assess their preparedness and to take care of any lacuna if found.…”