Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction: With the increase in the incidence rate of COVID-19, healthcare professionals (HCPs) being at the frontline of the outbreak response are at higher risk of getting exposure and suffering from the infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and precautionary...

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Main Authors: Sadia Shakeel, Hina Rehman, Mohammad Azmi Hassali, Faraz Hashmi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2020-10-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/12714
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author Sadia Shakeel
Hina Rehman
Mohammad Azmi Hassali
Faraz Hashmi
author_facet Sadia Shakeel
Hina Rehman
Mohammad Azmi Hassali
Faraz Hashmi
author_sort Sadia Shakeel
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: With the increase in the incidence rate of COVID-19, healthcare professionals (HCPs) being at the frontline of the outbreak response are at higher risk of getting exposure and suffering from the infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and precautionary practices of HCPs towards COVID-19. Methodology: The current study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, online study directed to the HCPs working in a metropolitan city of Karachi, during February 2020 and March 2020 using a self-administered questionnaire. A systematic random sampling approach was adopted. Results: A total of 286 completed surveys were incorporated in the investigation with a response rate of 74.28%. The median (interquartile range, IQR) knowledge score was 18.79 (17.64-19.57). Physicians were found to be more knowledgeable (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.17-4.26, p = 0.003) as compared to other HCPs. Similarly, the HCPs working in private work settings (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.54-2.79, p=0.001), having more experience (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.64-2.78; p < 0.005) were found to be more well-informed than HCPs working in public sector (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.63–0.72; p = 0.004). The correlation between the knowledge and attitude of respondents was found to be significantly correlated (correlation coefficient: 0.13, p < 0.005). Conclusions: The findings of the study revealed that HCPs were well conversant and have an optimistic attitude towards COVID-19. Further contemplates are required to evaluate the understanding of HCPs at a national level so that viable mediations could be planned to combat this pandemic.
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spelling doaj-art-6b4f64a8f1ea4e5d882fef9d39f3e7e52025-08-20T03:52:42ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802020-10-01141010.3855/jidc.12714Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, PakistanSadia Shakeel0Hina Rehman1Mohammad Azmi Hassali2Faraz Hashmi3Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, MalaysiaInstitute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, PakistanDiscipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, MalaysiaSindh Medical College, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan Introduction: With the increase in the incidence rate of COVID-19, healthcare professionals (HCPs) being at the frontline of the outbreak response are at higher risk of getting exposure and suffering from the infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and precautionary practices of HCPs towards COVID-19. Methodology: The current study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, online study directed to the HCPs working in a metropolitan city of Karachi, during February 2020 and March 2020 using a self-administered questionnaire. A systematic random sampling approach was adopted. Results: A total of 286 completed surveys were incorporated in the investigation with a response rate of 74.28%. The median (interquartile range, IQR) knowledge score was 18.79 (17.64-19.57). Physicians were found to be more knowledgeable (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.17-4.26, p = 0.003) as compared to other HCPs. Similarly, the HCPs working in private work settings (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.54-2.79, p=0.001), having more experience (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.64-2.78; p < 0.005) were found to be more well-informed than HCPs working in public sector (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.63–0.72; p = 0.004). The correlation between the knowledge and attitude of respondents was found to be significantly correlated (correlation coefficient: 0.13, p < 0.005). Conclusions: The findings of the study revealed that HCPs were well conversant and have an optimistic attitude towards COVID-19. Further contemplates are required to evaluate the understanding of HCPs at a national level so that viable mediations could be planned to combat this pandemic. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/12714COVID-19Healthcare professionalspandemicPakistan
spellingShingle Sadia Shakeel
Hina Rehman
Mohammad Azmi Hassali
Faraz Hashmi
Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
COVID-19
Healthcare professionals
pandemic
Pakistan
title Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan
title_full Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan
title_short Knowledge, attitude and precautionary practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan
title_sort knowledge attitude and precautionary practices towards covid 19 among healthcare professionals in karachi pakistan
topic COVID-19
Healthcare professionals
pandemic
Pakistan
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/12714
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AT mohammadazmihassali knowledgeattitudeandprecautionarypracticestowardscovid19amonghealthcareprofessionalsinkarachipakistan
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