SARS-Cov-2 Omicron: Healthcare Workers' Knowledge and Attitude

ABSTRACT

Background: healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the front lines of SARS-Cov-2 Omicron pandemic defense. Inadequate knowledge and inappropriate attitudes among HCWs can have a direct impact on practices, resulting in delayed diagnosis, reduced infection control practice and disease extent. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess healthcare workers' knowledge and attitudes toward Sars-Cov-2 Omicron. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was directed in Aseer Province at Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Cairo, Egypt, among 450 HCWs developing a self-limited questionnaire for data collection. The questionnaire concealed the following parts (I) Demographic characteristics age, sex and source of information about SARS-Cov-2 Omicron. (II) Knowledge of Sars-Cov-2 Omicron the important basic information, method of transmission, and disease prevention measures (III) Attitude regarding Sars-Cov-2 Omicron such as a preventable and manageable disease and their guidelines to overcome SARS-Cov-2 Omicron pandemic situation. Results: The most of HCWs (99.4%) agreed that infection control precautions can protect against Omicron. Overall knowledge and attitude level across subgroup were highly statistical significant differences (p< 0.001). Conclusion: This study discovered that HCWs had a high level of knowledge and attitude toward actions to prevent and control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Recommendations: Continuous providing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and teaching of all HCWs on correct infection prevention actions.