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Knowledge and Awareness-based Survey of COVID-19 within the Eye Care Profession in Nepal: Misinformation is Hiding the Truth.
Preprint
in English
| medRxiv
| ID: ppmedrxiv-20123505
ABSTRACT
BackgroundNepal is currently under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic with misinformation circulating on social media. This study aimed to analyse the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 amongst eye care professionals in Nepal. MethodologyWe invited 600 participants from 12 ophthalmic centres across Nepal to complete a qualitative, anonymous online survey. ResultsOf the 600 eye care professionals invited, 310 (51%) participated in the survey. The symptoms of COVID-19 were known to 94%, whilst only 49% were aware of disease transmission. 98% of participants recognised the World Health Organizations (WHO) awareness message, yet 41% of participants felt that consumption of hot drinks helps to destroy the virus. 41% disagreed that PPE should be mandatory for eye care practitioners. ConclusionThere is still considerable scope to improve the knowledge of COVID-19 amongst ophthalmic professionals in Nepal. Opinion is also split on measures to prevent transmission, with misinformation potentially fuelling confusion.
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Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
medRxiv
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Year:
2020
Document type:
Preprint
