Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global public health emergency which is affecting people across the world. Health care professionals and their working environment are in close by vicinity to the patient. The chance of cross-contamination and spread of infection is high if proper infection control measures are not taken. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Nepali medical and dental practitioners on infection control during the COVID-2019 pandemic.
 Materials and Method: A self administered questionnaire was formulated and circulated online among health care practitioners. Questionnaire consisted of questions on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding infection control on COVID-19 pandemic. A scoring criteria was set, giving score 1 to the correct answer and score 0 to the incorrect answer. Total scores were calculated and levels of knowledge, attitude and practice were assessed. Mean scores for medical and dental practitioners were also assessed and compared.
 Result: Total 80% of the total participants had not received training on infection prevention and control practices specifically for COVID-19. Only 19.3%, 4.7%, 9.5% participants scored maximum scores for knowledge, attitude and practice, respectively. Majority of the participants (around 80%) had good attitude towards infection control regarding COVID-19 pandemic.
 Conclusion: There is a need for specific training on infection prevention and control on COVID-19 for Nepali health care professionals. Supply of personal protective equipment materials required for infection control against COVID-19 in health care facility should improve to combat against this pandemic.
Highlights
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global public health emergency which is affecting people across the world
There is a need for specific training on infection prevention and control on COVID-19 for Nepali health care professionals
Of personal protective equipment materials required for infection control against COVID-19 in health care facility should improve to combat against this pandemic
Summary
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global public health emergency which is affecting people across the world. COVID-19 is emerging respiratory disease that is caused by a new member of the coronavirus family called novel coronavirus.[1] Low pathogenicity and high transmissibility are the unique features that distinguish it from other members of the coronavirus family, namely SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS-CoV (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome).[2,3] its relatively prolonged incubation period (median incubation period was estimated to be 5.1 days and maximum up to 14 days for some cases before any symptoms appear) and post-infection period make it challenging for health professionals to recognize the presence of COVID-19 infections, which could increase the spread of the disease.[4,5,6] Human-to-human transmission of the virus occurs through airborne droplets, contact or touch of an infected person or from a contaminated surface.[7] The main route of human-tohuman transmission is through respiratory droplets (coughing and sneezing). It is transmitted from contact (shaking hands) with an infected person or a contaminated surface and transferring it to the mouth, nose or eyes.[8]
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