Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Infection Control among Ministry of Health staff during COVID-19 Outbreak in Malaysia

ABSTRACT

@#Introduction Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in the middle of March as the disease is highly contagious and spread very quickly throughout the world. Understanding the knowledge and practice among healthcare staff is also crucial, especially among the frontlines staff, as they need to protect themselves and facilitate in educating their patients and public regarding disease prevention measures. This study's objective is to assess knowledge, practice, and perception on the effectiveness of the preventive measures taken by Ministry of Health (MOH) staff to prevent transmission of the disease and measures they would take should they develop symptoms of the disease on COVID-19 disease. (TPB). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey from 30th March 2020 to 6th April 2020 among the Ministry of Health staff. 1719 staff completed the survey. Results The overall correct rate of knowledge was 46.6%. Most participants held good perceptions (range from 77.8% to 98.4%) and good practices (range from 88.8% to 99.7%) towards COVID-19 preventive measure. Meanwhile, the preventive measures practices if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 range from 89.8% to 99.7% and for the perception, it ranges from 85.5% to 98.9%. Conclusions There are also still some lower percentages of perceptions and practices than expected. Additional education intervention and campaigns are required to provide the Ministry of health staff with adequate knowledge towards COVID19 main symptoms, general knowledge and transmission route of COVID-19, and increase some of the perceptions and practices on COVID-19 preventive measures. Keywords