Knowledge, Attitude &Practice of Healthcare Workers about COVID-19 in a Sample of PHCCS in Baghdad /Al Rusafah Health Directorate 2022

Abstract

Background : Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious novel respiratory
disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms are Fever or chill ,Cough
,Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ,Fatigue ,Muscle or body aches ,Headache
,New loss of taste or smell ,Sore throat ,Congestion or runny nose ,Nausea or vomiting
and Diarrhea. HCWs are at high risk of getting or transmit the infection to the community
Objective: To determine the magnitude of knowledge, attitude and practice to word
COVID-19 among healthcare workers.
Methods: A cross-sectional study, done in a new Baghdad sector for primary health
care, The data collated between Jan. and Jun, 2022. A convenient sample of 205
participants of HCWs. A self-administered questionnaire was done by direct interview
with HCWs. which evaluate their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID
19and their association with their demographic factors .The questionnaire answer either
by( yes, no, don’t know)each right answer given 1 score ,wrong or don’t know 0 score.
Regarding knowledge score (poor < 50%,fair 50%-75%,good >75%) ,attitude
score(positive>50%,negative<50%),practice score(good>50%,bad<50%).
Results: more than one third of participant found in age group(30-39),the most
common information about COVID-19 were Iraq MOH and WHO website (73.2%) the
mean knowledge score were
significant difference among
gender(female
21.16,p=0.001),educational level(higher education22.16,p=0.003),profession(medical
specialties 21.79,p-0.001) respectively .The mean attitude score were highly significant
among gender (female 8.27,p=0.001),profession(medical specialty 9.02,p=0.017).The
mean score for general practice were significantly high in age 30-39yr
(9.05,p=0.001),married(8.95,p=0.001),higher
education(8.54,p=0.036),medical
specialists(9.04,0.001)respectively.
Conclusion and Recommendations: There was a significant gap of knowledge
,attitude and practice more seen in a HCWs from health staff and administrator than the
HCWs from medical staff this mean we need more training courses about COVID-19
knowledge ,attitude and practice to increase their confidence in battling the current
outbreak and preparing them for any future surges of the disease