Knowledge, Perception, Practice, and stress level regarding COVID-19 among health care workers in Sohag University Hospital

Ali, Magda Mohamed; Mostafa, Mohammad Hasan; Bakheet, Tasneem Mohamad; Khalaf, Safaa; Ismail, Taghreed

doi:10.21608/ejcm.2023.200458.1253

Knowledge, Perception, Practice, and stress level regarding COVID-19 among health care workers in Sohag University Hospital

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Public Health and community medicine department, Faculty of medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

² Internal medicine department, Faculty of medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

³ public health and community medicine department, Faculty of medicine, Sohag University, Sohag

⁴ Tropical medicine and gastroenterology department, Faculty of medicine, Sohag University, Sohag

⁵ Public health and community medicine department, Faculty of medicine, Assiut University

10.21608/ejcm.2023.200458.1253

Abstract

Abstract:

Background: The knowledge, attitude and practices of HCWs are influencing the behavioral dynamics during the pandemic. HCWs are at increased risk of developing stress-related problems during outbreaks. Objectives: explore the knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs and determine the degree of stress regarding COVID-19. Methods: a cross sectional study was carried out on 455 HCWs at Sohag University Hospital from April to September, 2021. A structured questionnaire about personal characteristics, knowledge, perception, and practices regarding COVID-19 and its related stress was completed by a convenient sample of HCWs. Results: all HCWs had attended tutorial sessions about COVID-19 and the official governmental website was the source of information among more than half of them. The vast majority of HCWs (98%) had a good knowledge level whereas only 44.2% had a good perception. There was a significant moderate positive correlation between knowledge and perception level regarding COVID-19 among HCWs. Knowledge was significantly higher among males whereas perception was significantly higher among females. More than half of HCWs were confident about the effectiveness of PPEs in protecting them from infection and they received formal training about the proper use of PPEs after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most HCWs had mild/moderate stress level whereas the remaining one fifth had moderate/high stress. Stress level was significantly higher among physicians. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge, pitfalls like poor training about use of PPEs, knowledge uncertainties and fear of disease acquisition among HCWs need to be addressed. Psychological support programs for HCWs are required.

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