Managing COVID-19 from the Nurses’ Perspectives at Primary Healthcare Facilities in Maseru Lesotho

Abstract

<i>Background</i>: Nurses are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. The modest number of perspectives among healthcare practitioners remained an issue, particularly in developing nations such as Lesotho. <i>Objectives</i>: This study aimed to assess the perspectives of nurses working in the primary healthcare setting on managing COVID-19 in Lesotho. <i>Method</i>: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data using a structured questionnaire from a conveniently selected sample of nurses. Data were analysed using SPSS, and the results were presented using descriptive and analytic statistics. Results: A total of 120 nurses completed the questionnaire, with a 100% response rate. Very few proportions of nurses received formal training (52.4%) and were taught and trained on the safe and accurate ways of using personal protective equipment (PPE) (21.8%) as a preventative measure. Less than half (36.7%) of the participants could implement guidelines to screen, report a suspected case (32.5%) and manage confirmed cases of COVID-19 (30.8%). The levels of knowledge and practices for the pandemic were moderate during the study. There was a significant correlation between the nurses’ knowledge and practices [X<sup>2</sup>(442, N=120) =1022.6, p<.05] in the management of COVID-19. <i>Conclusion</i>: The level of perspectives of nurses in Lesotho was moderate regarding the management of COVID-19. Unsatisfactory numbers of nurses were reasonably knowledgeable and capable of implementing pandemic response measures. This study provides the information necessary for health authorities to prioritise training programmes that support nurses during COVID-19 and other similar pandemics.