COVID-19 Knowledge, Perception, Preventive Measures, Stigma, and Mental Health Among Healthcare Workers in Three Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Phone Survey.
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 105(2): 342-350, 2021 Jun 24.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1280857
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis globally. Understanding healthcare providers' (HCPs') knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 is crucial to identifying effective strategies to improve their ability to respond to the pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. A phone-based survey of 900 HCPs in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Nigeria (300 per country) was conducted to assess knowledge, perceptions, COVID-19 prevention measures, stigma, and mental health of HCPs. Modified Poisson regression models were used to evaluate predictors of knowledge, perceptions, and prevention measures; adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Three-fourths of the HCPs had adequate knowledge, and over half had correct perceptions of risk and high levels of self-reported prevention measures. The majority of the HCPs (73.7%) reported self-perceived social stigma. There was relatively low prevalence of depression (6.6%), anxiety (6.6%), or psychological distress (18%). Compared with doctors, being a nurse was associated with lower levels of knowledge (ARR 0.83; 95% CI 0.77-0.90) and was also negatively associated with having correct perceptions toward COVID-19 (AOR 0.82; 95% CI 0.73-0.92). HCPs treating COVID-19 patients had higher likelihood of having high levels of prevention measures (AOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.23-1.53). Despite high levels of knowledge among HCPs in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a need to improve COVID-19 perceptions and compliance with prevention measures as well as address social stigma toward HCPs to better ensure their safety and prepare them to deliver health services.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
/
Mental Health
/
Surveys and Questionnaires
/
Health Personnel
/
Social Stigma
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
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Observational study
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Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Trop Med Hyg
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ajtmh.20-1621
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