Assessment of knowledge attitude and practice (Kap) towards covid-19: How well the health care workers are into covid-19 in kerala

ABSTRACT

Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been designated a worldwide public health emergency, impacting individuals all over the world. Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate health care workers Awareness, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) regarding the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-2019) pandemic in Kerala. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among health care workers (n=388) in Kerala over 6 months. The questionnaire was divided into 5 parts, part 1demographic information, and next 3 parts evaluated knowledge (10 questions), attitude, (10 questions) and practice (9 questions). Part 5 obtained access to health care workers' mental well-being. The data was subjected to Chi-square analysis and Pearson’s correlation;95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated and p<0.05 was recognised statistically significant. Results A total of 388 HCWs (response rate 88.78 %) completed the survey out of 437 participants;72 % (n=1279) were female, 40.46 % (n=157) were aged 31-40 years, and most were nurses (n=258, 66.49 %). A large percentage of HCWs had strong Knowledge, positive Attitude and good Practice towards COVID-19. Participants Demographics were not correlated with knowledge attitude and practice level towards Covid-19 but Pearson analysis indicated that there is a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (p=0.016). Conclusions. The HCW’s of Kerala have excellent Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19. It is suggest that government and Health Care department should conduct regular seminars and practice sessions regarding COVID-19 which would empower the HCW’s against COVID-19.