ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Due to the novel nature of COVID-19, management strategies are poorly understood by most primary care providers (PCPs), especially in the low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) of the world. If the knowledge of PCPs concerning COVID-19 is enhanced, awareness, perception, and attitude toward patient care will improve. Consequently, maximum prevention and control will be achieved. AIM: This study aims at assessing the awareness, knowledge, and willingness of the PCPs to care for COVID-19 patients in Calabar, Nigeria. METHOD(S): A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to evaluate 1126 PCPs (doctors, nurses, and community health officers) actively working in government primary, secondary, and tertiary health-care facilities in Calabar, Nigeria. A total population sampling method was employed and a validated, semi-structured, 33-item questionnaire was used to explore the objectives of the study. RESULT(S): Majority (99.4%) of the study participants were aware of COVID-19. Most (68.4%) information regarding COVID-19 came from the social media. Bonferroni post hoc test of multiple comparisons revealed that the knowledge score for PCPs in tertiary (11.2 +/- 8) was significantly higher compared to those in secondary (10.6 +/- 1.6) and primary levels of care (10.7 +/- 1.7). Approximately 55.3% of the participants did not want to be involved in the management of COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION(S): There is the need to focus and intensify training of the PCPs working at the primary and secondary levels of care to increase their awareness, knowledge base, willingness to care for patients and eventually reduce morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 in the study setting. Copyright © 2022, Scientific Foundation SPIROSKI. All rights reserved.