Knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers among healthcare workers regarding COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey from Pakistan

J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jul;105(3):419-423. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.007. Epub 2020 May 11.

Abstract

A self-administered validated (Cronbach's alpha=0.077) questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practice among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Findings showed that HCWs have good knowledge (93.2%, N=386), a positive attitude [mean 8.43 (standard deviation 1.78)] and good practice (88.7%, N=367) regarding COVID-19. HCWs perceived that limited infection control material (50.7%, N=210) and poor knowledge regarding transmission (40.6%, N=168) were the major barriers to infection control. Regression analysis indicated that pharmacists were more likely to demonstrate good practice than other HCWs (odds ratio 2.247, 95% confidence interval 1.11-4.55, P=0.025). This study found that HCWs in Pakistan have good knowledge, but there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice that warrant attention.

Keywords: Awareness; COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Knowledge, attitude and practice.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Personnel / psychology
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurses / psychology
  • Nurses / statistics & numerical data
  • Pakistan
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Pharmacists / psychology
  • Pharmacists / statistics & numerical data
  • Physicians / psychology
  • Physicians / statistics & numerical data
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / psychology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Surveys and Questionnaires