Assessment of knowledge and anxiety level of forensic science experts and technicians on SARS–CoV2 Pandemic

Abstract

This prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed to assess the knowledge and anxiety levels of forensic science experts and technicians working at the Ministry of Justice Council of Forensic Medicine regarding the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Corona Virus2 (SARS–CoV2) pandemic. Research data was obtained by a questionnaire, including personal information questions, a Coronavirus 19 Phobia (C19P–S) scale, and knowledge level questions, conducted on 295 participants between 01/10/2020–30/11/2020. Knowledge scores of the participants having bachelor's degrees (16.57±7.51) were found to be lower than those of the associate degree (23.74±6.52) and postgraduate degree (23.29±6.63) groups. The professional group with the lowest knowledge score was the engineer (12.00±4.95). The knowledge score of forensic medicine specialists (24.78±5.98), forensic medicine residents (24.78±5.53), and technicians (23.84±6.61) were higher than other professional groups. The psychological sub-dimension score was 18.69±5.73, while psychosomatic 8.93±3.72, social 14.65±4.47, economic 8.54±3.39, and the total C19P–S scale was 50.80±14.56. The psychological and total C19P – S scale scores of the female participants were higher than the scores of the men. Total C19P–S scores of the participants working in the specialized departments were higher than the participants working on the specialized boards. The highest C19P–S scale total score was determined in the technician's group. In general, the knowledge and anxiety levels were determined as "moderate". The findings of this study indicate that, in addition to the stress of working with a high risk of transmission, also postponed schedules, accumulated workload, etc. may affect the psychological state of forensic science experts and technicians. However, the coping rates are strong enough to keep the stress level at “moderate”. Moderate level knowledge scores may reveal the need to do more reading on health topics and perform more studies on SARS-CoV2 while it may also be seen due to the significant information pollution.