COVID-19 infection: Knowledge, attitude, practices, and impact among healthcare workers in a South-Eastern Nigerian state

Authors

  • Chioma Ngozichukwu Pauline Mbachu Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Chimaobi Marie-Claire Azubuike Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
  • Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Chizalu Ifeyinwa Ndukwu Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Amaka Yves-Ann Ezeuko Department of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
  • Ifeoma Bridget Udigwe Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
  • Chioma Phyllis Nnamani Department of Family Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Uche Marian Umeh Department of Community Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria
  • Dorothy Amauche Ezeagwuna Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Stanley Kenechi Onah Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Henry Obinna Eze Department of Orthopaedics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
  • Uzoma Chidi Okereke Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
  • Esther Nkiruka Orji-Ifeanyi Department of Nursing services, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.13248

Keywords:

knowledge, attitude, practice, healthcare workers, COVID-19, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection rate and mortality among Nigerian health care workers appear to be on the increase. This study determined the level of knowledge, attitude, practices, and impact of COVID-19 infection on healthcare workers (HCWs) working in a South-Eastern Nigerian state.

Methodology: This was a web-based, cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare workers in South-eastern, Nigeria during the lockdown period. Socio-demographic profile, knowledge of COVID-19, fears and impact concerning COVID-19, attitude of health workers to work, preventive practices during this pandemic period were obtained. Data were analysed using STATA 16.0. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests of association were used to determine the association between variables, with the significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 403 health care workers participated in the study. Majority of participants (n = 357, 88.59%) had good knowledge and good preventive practices (n = 328, 81.39%) of COVID-19. A significant proportion of respondents had a poor attitude to work (n = 101, 25.06%) and an attitude of indifference (n = 233, 57.82%). Almost half (48.64%) of participants had been negatively affected by COVID-19. Knowledge significantly influenced practice (p = 0.029). Lack of Personal protective equipment, fear of dying and going to common places, had a significant impact on the attitude of workers.

Conclusion: Good knowledge which influenced practice, high use of preventive practices, with associated poor and indifferent attitude was noted among healthcare workers. Fear of death and lack of personal protective equipment had a strong impact on attitude. Female HCWs had poorer attitude to work than males.

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Published

2020-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Mbachu CNP, Azubuike CM-C, Mbachu II, Ndukwu CI, Ezeuko AY-A, Udigwe IB, Nnamani CP, Umeh UM, Ezeagwuna DA, Onah SK, Eze HO, Okereke UC, Orji-Ifeanyi EN (2020) COVID-19 infection: Knowledge, attitude, practices, and impact among healthcare workers in a South-Eastern Nigerian state. J Infect Dev Ctries 14:943–952. doi: 10.3855/jidc.13248

Issue

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic