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Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Health Facility Preparedness Regarding COVID-19 in Sierra Leone
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC V3.0, Open
Journal article
Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Health Facility Preparedness Regarding COVID-19 in Sierra Leone
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Vol.14, pp.67-80
2021
PMID: 33469299
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Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are known to spearhead the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered critical to the success of the current COVID-19 response efforts. This study aims to determine HCWs’ KAP toward COVID-19 and assesses their perception of their healthcare facilities preparedness to respond appropriately to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone. Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional study among HCWs (n=516) between 1st May 2020 and 30th June 2020. We collected our data using a self-administered structured questionnaire via email and online social media platforms. We analyzed our data using descriptive statistics and regression analysis (p< 0.05). Results: Close to three-fourth of HCWs (n=375, 72.7%) were knowledgeable regarding COVID-19. Doctors were more knowledgeable than community health workers and laboratory technicians (AOR= 2.48, 95% CI: 1.16– 5.31, p=0.019) regarding COVID-19. Close to two-thirds of HCWs (n=301, 58.3%) HCWs show positive attitudes toward COVID-19. Being male (AOR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.36– 3.20, p=0.001) and directly involved in COVID-19 patient care (AOR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.88– 5.48, p< 0.001) were identified as predictors of positive attitude towards COVID-19. HCWs are generally adhering to COVID-19 safe practices with majority indicating that they regularly wash or sanitize their hands (n=510, 98.8%) and used facemask at point of care (n=499, 96.7%). Majority of HCWs are of the view that their healthcare facilities are ill-prepared to adequately respond to COVID-19 with majority (n= 400, 77.5%) of them stating that their facilities lack enough personal protective equipment. Conclusion: HCWs in Sierra Leone showed good knowledge, positive attitude and practice regarding COVID-19. However, HCWs are of the view that their healthcare facilities are ill-prepared to respond adequately to the COVID-19 outbreak. Health authorities and policymakers need to provide the necessary resources to allow HCWs to work in a safe environment.
Details
- Title
- Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Health Facility Preparedness Regarding COVID-19 in Sierra Leone
- Creators
- Sulaiman Kanu (Author) - University of Sierra LeonePeter Bai James (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneAbdulai Jawo Bah (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneJohn Alimamy Kabba (Author) - Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityMusa Salieu Kamara (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneChristine Ellen Elleanor Williams (Author) - Ministry of Health and SanitationJoseph Sam Kanu (Author) - Ministry of Health and Sanitation
- Publication Details
- Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Vol.14, pp.67-80
- Publisher
- Dove Medical Press; Macclesfield
- Identifiers
- 991012921900202368
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article