Abstract
BackgroundFacing the highly transmissible viral infection referred to as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that threatens human life, South African frontline healthcare professionals have faced a major challenge. Being one of the African countries with a higher prevalence of COVID-19 cases, this study aimed to assess the preparedness levels of emergency doctors, nurses and clinical associates in the Tshwane district of South Africa regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey using a developed and piloted online questionnaire. It was conducted in the casualty departments (emergency medical units) of seven hospitals in the Tshwane district of South Africa. Only emergency doctors, nurses and clinical associates took part.ResultsOf the 87 respondents, the mean age was 33.9 years and the minimum and maximum ages were 22 and 62 years, respectively; 37 (42.5%) were aged 26–30 years, 54 (62.1%) were females, 46 (52.9%) were single persons, 35 (40.2%) were medical officers, 42 (48.3%) were healthcare professionals with 0–5 years of experience and 21 (24.1%) were from a provincial tertiary hospital. Of the healthcare professionals, 63 (72.4%) were assessed as being prepared regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionThe current online survey demonstrated a good preparedness level regarding the COVID-19 pandemic management amongst frontline healthcare professionals working in seven hospitals of the Tshwane district. An educational training programme on disaster management or the COVID-19 pandemic should be implemented to ensure that all frontline healthcare professionals are adequately prepared for current and future outbreaks.
Highlights
Preparedness, as defined by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNSDR), consists of knowledge and capabilities established by an individual or an organisation to efficiently anticipate or respond to a forthcoming or existing threat or circumstances
I put my trust in the hospital safety when it comes to COVID-19 pandemic management
The main objective of this survey was to assess the preparedness level of the frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the management of COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings amongst the Tshwane sample demonstrated a good level of preparedness (Table 4)
Summary
Preparedness, as defined by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNSDR), consists of knowledge and capabilities established by an individual or an organisation to efficiently anticipate or respond to a forthcoming or existing threat or circumstances. In connection with what has been recognised by the WHO, female healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Lahore, Pakistan, felt the weight of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and many developed anxiety and stress because of an unwelcoming working environment and family pressure. This pressure might be raised because of a lack of training as well as non-existence of incentives whilst working during such difficult times. Being one of the African countries with a higher prevalence of COVID-19 cases, this study aimed to assess the preparedness levels of emergency doctors, nurses and clinical associates in the Tshwane district of South Africa regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
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