Open AccessAwareness of COVID-19 Infection and its Safety Protocols among Health Care Workers in Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP)
Author(s) -
Mahwish Akhtar Qureshi,
Maliha Akhtar Qureshi,
Quratul Ain,
Asem Hameed,
Najeeb Ahmad
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
pakistan journal of medical and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.114
H-Index - 7
ISSN - 1996-7195
DOI - 10.53350/pjmhs221621162
Subject(s) - cross sectional study , health care , family medicine , medicine , covid-19 , significant difference , pandemic , good practice , nursing , psychology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , engineering , economics , engineering ethics , economic growth
Objective: To draw a comparative analysis of the levels of awareness of COVID-19 pandemic and its protective measures amongst health care workers (HCWs). Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) was conducted at PNS Hafeez hospital in Islamabad from 1st August 2020 to 30th September 2020. 156 professionals in the hospital including doctors and paramedics, who directly or indirectly came in contact with or managed COVID-19 patients, were included in the study with their consent and were provided with a questionnaire of 22 questions which comprised of answers of ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘I don’t know’. All participants were divided into two groups; the doctors were assigned Group 1 while the paramedics Group 2. Their answers were studied and overall KAP and comparison was analyzed using SPSS, v 22; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY. The correct responses were considered ‘Poor’ ( 90%). Results: The difference in gender population between two groups was not significant. The difference in correct knowledge, attitude and practice between two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: The attitude and practice about COVID-19 and its preventive measures was good in all professionals, though the doctors had very good (>90%) attitude. The knowledge was poor (<70%) in paramedics. The awareness programs are still required to continue better understanding and practice of COViD-19 especially in paramedics. Keywords: COVID-19, Corona, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Healthcare workers.