ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of efforts to treat those affected by COVID-19 and prevent its continued spread. This study seeks to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) as well as training needs and preferences related to COVID-19 among frontline HCWs in Nigeria. SETTING: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1852 HCWs in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings across Nigeria using a 33-item questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents included doctors, nurses, pharmacy and clinical laboratory professionals who have direct clinical contact with patients at the various healthcare settings. ANALYSIS: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to establish independent factors related to COVID-19 KAP. Analysis of variance was used to identify any differences in the factors among different categories of HCWs. RESULTS: EFA identified four factors: safety and prevention (factor 1), practice and knowledge (factor 2), control and mitigation (factor 3) and national perceptions (factor 4). Significant group differences were found on three factors: Factor 1 (F(1,1655)=5.79, p=0.0006), factor 3 (F(1,1633)=12.9, p<0.0.0001) and factor 4 (F(1,1655)=7.31, p<0.0001) with doctors scoring higher on these three factors when compared with nurses, pharmaceutical workers and medical laboratory scientist. The most endorsed training need was how to reorganise the workplace to prevent spread of COVID-19. This was chosen by 61.8% of medical laboratory professionals, 55.6% of doctors, 51.7% of nurses and 51.6% of pharmaceutical health workers. The most preferred modes of training were webinars and conferences. CONCLUSION: There were substantial differences in KAP regarding the COVID-19 pandemic among various categories of frontline HCWs surveyed. There were also group differences on COVID-19 training needs and preferences. Tailored health education and training aimed at enhancing and updating COVID-19 KAP are needed, particularly among non-physician HCWs.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Personnel , Humans , Nigeria , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Abstract: Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has halted activities throughout the globe because of its rapid spread. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a β-coronavirus first detected in China. SARS-CoV-2 has been implicated to be transmitted via direct contact, fomite, respiratory droplets, and possibly aerosol. The spread of the disease is complicated due to the slow onset of symptoms and asymptomatic infected patients. Methods: This narrative communication summarizes the recent researches sourced using sensitive search strategies to identify COVID-19 current perspectives on the control, prevention, and therapeutic promise. Result: Several strategies and multiple control measures have been implemented around the globe to contain COVID-19. Considering the exponential spread of the pandemic, several scientists and physicians have been racing to discover possible therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. There are clinical trials to investigate the vaccine designed to protect against the infection and also to substantiate the claim made for BCG protection against COVID-19. Although, there is currently no universally approved medication to treat SARS-CoV-2, there have been random reports of existing medications ameliorating the infection, and these regimens are still under clinical trial. There is also the potential therapeutic prospect of rhinothermy to fight SARS-CoV-2 judging from its success in fighting upper respiratory tract viral infection. Conclusion: The information provided in this communication gives a reliable intellectual grounding regarding the current perspective on COVID-19 control, progress made in the development of vaccines and therapeutic regimen, and where future research in this area should be focused