Knowledge, attitude and adherence to standard precautions among frontline clinical physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the knowledge of pathology and prevention of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), attitude towards clinical practice, and adherence to standard precautions among clinical physiotherapists during the pandemic. Material and methods A snowballing method was used to recruit physiotherapists (across 53 countries) who responded to a newly designed and validated survey on the participants’ demographics, knowledge of COVID-19, attitude, practices, and standard precaution adherence during the pandemic. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s Alpha, Pearson’s correlation, and ANOVA. Results All participants (n = 2550, 100%) were knowledgeable on COVID-19 symptomatology. However, only (n = 312, 12.2%) were actively involved in the management of confirmed cases. The percentage score of participants’ knowledge regarding COVID-19 pathology, and prevention, their attitude, and adherence to standard precautions averaged 77.73 ± 10.11, 89.70 ± 9.26, 77.44 ± 7.04, and 61.59 ± 16.63, respectively. Knowledge about COVID-19 pathology differed significantly across demographic variables (p < 0.001, Ƞ 2 ≤ 0.07). Most participants (n = 1936, 75.9%) reported an inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Conclusion Participants had good knowledge of COVID-19 pathology and a positive attitude towards safe clinical practice. However, adherence to standard precautions was suboptimal due to inadequate infectious disease training and PPE supply.