Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore knowledge, practice of risk and guidelines of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) infection among the eye care practitioners and the potential associated factors. A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was distributed via emails and social media networks between 2nd and 18th May 2020 corresponding to the week of the lockdown in Nigeria to eye care practitioners (ECPs). Data for 823 respondents were analyzed. Knowledge and risk practice were categorized as binary outcome and univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to examine the associated factors. The mean score for COVID-19-related knowledge of public health guidelines was high and varied across the ECPs. Ophthalmic Nurses, Ophthalmologists and Optometrists showed higher COVID-19-related knowledge than other ECPs (p < 0.001), particularly those working in the private sector. More than 50% of ECPs stated they provided essential services during the COVID-19 lockdown via physical consultation, particularly the Ophthalmologists. Most respondents reported that the guidelines provided by their Association were useful but expressed their lack of confidence in attending to patients during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Compared to other ECPs in Nigeria, more Ophthalmic Nurses received training in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This survey is the first to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. ECPs in Nigeria displayed good knowledge about COVID-19 and provided eye care services during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, despite the majority not receiving any training on the use of PPEs with concerns over attending to patients. There is need for the government to strengthen health systems by improving and extending training on standard infection prevention and control measures to ECPs for effective control of the pandemic and in the future as essential health workers.
Highlights
The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, the Chinese province of Hubei city, halted the ever-busy human society and threatened every nation [1]
The study found that knowledge about COVID-19 preventive guidelines was high among eye care practitioners (ECPs) and Ophthalmic nurses, Ophthalmologists and Optometrists were significantly more knowledgeable compared to Opticians
High COVID-19-related knowledge was reported in the general Nigerian population [22], and that of the Chinese population [23] as well as those of the health care practitioners [14] but an earlier survey found a lack of understanding of the Public Health guidelines related to COVID-19 among
Summary
The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, the Chinese province of Hubei city, halted the ever-busy human society and threatened every nation [1]. The infection soon became a cause of concern with the World Health Organization, declaring the rapid spread of cases of COVID-19 a pandemic on 11th March, 2020 and recommended that a globally coordinated effort was needed to fight the pandemic [4]. The risk of death in COVID-19-infected individuals increases with older age, presence of hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart diseases [7]. There are reports of conjunctivitis and transmission of the virus by aerosol contact with conjunctiva [8] with some uncertainty as to whether the virus is evident in human tears [1]
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