Healthcare Workers' Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Health Facility Preparedness Regarding COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

Kanu, S; James, PB; Bah, AJ; Kabba, JA; Kamara, MS; Williams, CEE; Kanu, JS

Healthcare Workers' Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Health Facility Preparedness Regarding COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

Kanu, S James, PB Bah, AJ Kabba, JA Kamara, MS Williams, CEE Kanu, JS

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Publisher:: Dove Medical Press
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 2021, 14, pp. 67-80
Issue Date:: 2021-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kanu, S
dc.contributor.author	James, PB
dc.contributor.author	Bah, AJ
dc.contributor.author	Kabba, JA
dc.contributor.author	Kamara, MS
dc.contributor.author	Williams, CEE
dc.contributor.author	Kanu, JS
dc.date.accessioned	2021-10-13T04:28:34Z
dc.date.available	2020-12-08
dc.date.available	2021-10-13T04:28:34Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 2021, 14, pp. 67-80
dc.identifier.issn	1178-2390
dc.identifier.issn	1178-2390
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151074
dc.description.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.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Dove Medical Press
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.2147/jmdh.s287156
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.title	Healthcare Workers' Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perceived Health Facility Preparedness Regarding COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	14
utslib.location.activity	New Zealand
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-10-13T04:28:32Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	14

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.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151074