ABSTRACT
Background: The effective SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in any country depends on awareness and training of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in addition to the preparedness and protective measures of healthcare settings. Purpose(s): The study aimed to measure the preparedness of public hospitals and healthcare providers to face COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq. Method(s): This was a cross-sectional study based on an electronic survey (Qualtrics) in English distributed among HCPs working in public hospitals across the country. The survey was distributed via two professional Facebook groups between March 22nd to April 7th 2020. The author adopted with modifications the survey items from previous studies of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Result(s): The authors received 347 completed surveys (52.2% pharmacists, 38.3% physicians and dentists 8.6%). All the seven items measuring HCP awareness of COVID-19 disease and preventive measures were above average with total mean of 27.91 (+/-4.21) out of 35 points. In contrast, 10 out of 12 items measuring the public hospital preparedness to COVID-19 were below average (between 1.73 and 2.7 out of 5) particularly those related to provide staff trainings and protective personal equipment (PPE). Additionally, 81.8% of the participants Conclusion(s): Iraqi HCPs have adequate levels of awareness of COVID-19;however, the public hospitals need to enhance staff training and protective measures in addition to providing adequate PPE to HCPs. The Ministry of Health needs to provide adequate numbers of mechanical ventilators to public hospitals to face COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to measure the preparedness of public healthcare settings and providers to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on an electronic survey (Qualtrics, USA) in English distributed among healthcare providers (HCPs). The target participants were Iraqi HCPs (pharmacists, physicians, and dentists) working in public healthcare settings across the country. The survey was distributed via two professional Facebook groups between March 22 and April 7, 2020.The authors modified the survey items from previous studies of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and H1N1 influenza outbreaks. The participants’ continuous characteristics were expressed as mean, and standard deviation. The categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: The authors received 317 surveys. All the seven items measuring HCP awareness of COVID-19 disease and preventive measures were above average with total mean of 27.91 (± 4.21) out of 35 points. In contrast, ten out of 12 items measuring the public hospital preparedness to COVID-19 were below average (between 1.73 and 2.7 out of 5) particularly those related to provide staff trainings and protective personal equipment (PPE). Only keeping suspected COVID-19 patients in an isolation room and disinfecting hospital units regularly were above the average. Additionally, 81% of the participants stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) did not provide hospitals with adequate number of mechanical ventilators. Conclusions: The HCPs have adequate level of awareness of COVID-19;however, the public healthcare settings need to address the gap in the staff training and provide adequate PPE to HCPs. The survey items can be used to measure the healthcare preparedness in other countries.