Evaluation of Phobia, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about SARS-CoV-2 Infection, a Study on Healthcare Workers and Their 1st Degree Relatives.

ABSTRACT

Background: Phobia as a psychological disorder seems to be aggravated during health crises like the current COVID-19 outbreak. On the other hand, people's knowledge about a situation can help decrease the resulting fear. Study design: This is a cross-sectional analytical study to evaluate the COVID-19 related phobia and to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice of our target Iranian population about COVID-19. Methods: In this study, DSM-5 specific phobia questionnaire, adapted to SARS-CoV2-19 infection, was used to evaluate the COVID-19 related phobia. Moreover, the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire, specific for SARS-CoV-2 infection, was applied. Results: Phobia score was significantly higher in 1st-degree relatives of healthcare staff (20.38±5.82) than healthcare staff (18.36±5.68) (p=0.021). Females showed a significantly more severe phobia (20.27±5.41) than males (17.72±5.35, p=0.001). COVID-19 phobia was significantly more severe in those with past psy-chiatric conditions than in those without psychiatric history (p<0.05). The 1st-degree relatives of healthcare staff had a significantly lower level of knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 infection (8.19±1.65) than healthcare staff (9.08±1.28, p=0.001). Additionally, age had a positive significant correlation with knowledge and practice towards SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: Both Iranian healthcare staff and 1st-degree relatives of healthcare workers are suffering from moderate COVID-19 phobia. Females are more concerned than males about COVID-19. Phobia is more severe in people with underlying psychiatric conditions than other people. The knowledge level of Iranian healthcare workers and 1st-degree relatives of healthcare staff about COVID-19 is acceptable but it needs improvement in certain areas.