Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Related to COVID-19 Prevention among Health Care Workers in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to coronavirus pandemic among health care workers in Sokoto metropolis of Sokoto State, Nigeria. 
 Study Design: A cross-sectional study
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Sokoto metropolis, northwest Nigeria between July and October 2020
 Methodology: Four hundred and twenty-seven respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected manually using a self-administered questionnaire entered into the computer for analysis using IBM SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and frequencies of the various variables were tabulated.
 Results: The mean age was 35.16+- 9.25 years, with those aged 30-39 years constituting 38% of the respondents. There were 53.2% males, 47.3% nurses, and 27.2% doctors, and 71.6% of the respondents were from tertiary health institutions, out of which 42% had 1-5 years of work experience. Up to 99% were aware of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and overall, 78.2% had good knowledge, and 91% of all the respondents had positive attitudes towards the pandemic (p-value 0.001). Overall, 68.4% of the health workforce had appropriate practices towards preventing COVID-19, and 83% were willing to be posted to isolation centers with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
 Conclusion: The study demonstrated significant awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 amongst the health workforce in Sokoto with significant positive attitudes towards the pandemic and appropriate practices towards preventing the pandemic and willingness to work in isolation centers to support the prevention of the pandemic.

Corona virus-19 preventive practices among primary health workers in Owo local government, Ondo state Nigeria

“…The major preventive practices among the respondents in the present study were hand washing, wearing of face mask and use of hand sanitizer which was similar to what was reported in other studies in Nigeria, Ghana and Saudi Arabia. [22][23][24][25]27,29 In the present study, respondents agreed that apart from washing of hands, wearing of face masks and use of hand sanitizers that social distancing, selfisolation of infected person, avoidance of hand shake and avoid touching of nose, mouth and eyes are other means of preventing the spread of COVID-19. This was consistent with studies reported from Pakistan and China.…”

“…24 The preventive practices towards COVID-19 among the respondents in the present study was high which was similar to what was reported in China and Pakistan but higher than other studies in Nigeria, Ghana and Bangladesh. [22][23][24]28,29,31,32 The respondents personal and environmental characteristics could account for the high preventive practices in this present study. The receptive attitude of the primary healthcare workers compare to tertiary healthcare workers could also account for the high preventive practices observed in the present study.…”

“…[22][23][24][25]28 The majority of the respondents in the present study were female which was similar to study done in Anambra and Ghana but males were the major respondents in the study done in Kano, Sokoto, and Saudi Arabia. [22][23][24][25]29 The difference in the gender could be because the Islamic dominated states do not allow females professionals in centres where male care is needed.…”

“…The awareness of COVID-19 in the present study was similar to the level of awareness in studies reported in Northern Nigeria, Anambra, South East Nigeria, Uganda and China but higher than studies reported from Ghana, Saudi, Pakistan and Bangladesh. 15,[22][23][24][25][28][29][30][31] The variation in the knowledge of the healthcare workers could be due to the information dissemination about COVID-19 and readiness of the respondents to receive information. The significant of disseminating correct, appropriate and timely information especially during emergencies is important in building capacity and improving the performance of healthcare workers.…”

“…15,[22][23][24][25]30,31 It was however similar to other studies done in other part of Nigeria. 27,29 The increase positive attitude could be due to the high acceptability of the respondents and in the readiness to curb the spread of the disease in this community.…”