Abstract
BackgroundHealthcare workers (HWs) are at the highest risk of getting CIVID-19. This study aimed to assess factors determining the knowledge and prevention of HWs towards COVID-19 in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 442 HWs using email and telegram addresses. The knowledge and practice of HWs were estimated using 16 knowledge and 11 practice questions. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used on SPSS version 25 to identify factors related to the knowledge and prevention practice of HWs on COVID-19. Significance was determined at a p value of < 0.05 and association was described by using odds ratio at 95% CI.ResultsOf 442 HWs, 398 (90% response rate) responded to the online interview questionnaire. From 398 HWs, 231(58%), 225(56%), 207(53%), and 191(48%) were males, from rural area, aged ≥ 34 years and nurses, respectively. About 279(70%) HWs had good knowledge of COVID-19 followed by 247(62%) good prevention practices. Age < 34 years (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.25–3.62), rural residence (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.26–0.70), access to infection prevention (IP) training (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.36–4.21), presence of IP guideline (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.64–4.62), and using social media (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.42–4.53) were factors of knowledge about COVID-19. Whereas, rural residence (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.31–0.75), facility type (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.28–0.89), access to IP training (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.35–4.16), presence of IP guidelines (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.21–3.45), knowledge about COVID-19 (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI = 2.15–5.27), having chronic illnesses (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.15–3.75), lack of protective equipment (PPE) (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.32–0.74), and high workload (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.36–0.87) were factors of COVID-19 prevention.ConclusionIn this study, most of the HWs had good knowledge but had lower prevention practice of COVID-19. Socio-demographic and access to information sources were factors of knowledge on COVID-19. Similarly, residence, shortage of PPE, high workload, comorbidities, knowledge, and access to IP training and guideline were factors limiting prevention practices. Thus, a consistent supply of PPE and improving health workers’ knowledge, making IP guidelines and information sources available, and managing chronic illnesses are crucial to prevent COVID-19 among HWs.
Highlights
Healthcare workers (HWs) are at the highest risk of getting CIVID-19
Study design and settings Due to the country’s lockdown for COVID-19 prevention, an online cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020 among HWs working in public hospitals and health centers (HCs) of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia
This study demonstrated the main information sources to HWs where 60% and 65% accessed information about COVID-19 from TV and social media (Facebook, Youtube, Telegram and Twitter), respectively
Summary
Healthcare workers (HWs) are at the highest risk of getting CIVID-19. This study aimed to assess factors determining the knowledge and prevention of HWs towards COVID-19 in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The major transmission route of COVID-19 is respiratory droplets produced from an infected person while sneezing and coughing. It is transmitted by infected surfaces and objects since the virus can survive everywhere [3, 5, 6]. The COVID-19 has been characterized by wide clinical futures ranging from no symptoms to a severe form of respiratory illness [7,8,9]. The typical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough and shortness of breath [4, 6,7,8, 10]. Symptoms including headache, muscle pain, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, hemoptysis, and diarrhea were observed [9, 11]
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