Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Venezuela: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: The deterioration of Venezuela's health system in recent years undoubtedly contributes to an increased impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic could inform their medical training and improve their preparedness.Methods: A online national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 26th and May 30th, 2020, to assess KAPs among HCWs in Venezuela.Results: A total of 1,441 HCWs from all 24 regions of the country responded to the survey. The mean age of the HCWs was 44 (SD [standard deviation] 14) years; most were women (66.4%). Most HCWs were specialized doctors (48%), followed by nurses (13%) and resident doctors (12.3%). The majority of HCWs had good knowledge (76.3%), obtained information mainly from scientific literature (85.4%); had negative attitudes (53.6%), felt uncomfortable with their work during the current pandemic (59.8%); and reported appropriate practices (76.9%). However, participation in COVID-19 related training was absent in more than half of the HCWs. Positive attitudes were significantly more frequent in frontline workers than in non-frontline workers (p = 0.001). Bioanalysts, students, and doctors were more likely to have good knowledge; participating in training was a predictor for positive attitudes and older age was an appropriate practice predictor.Conclusions: HCWs, knowledge in Venezuela could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. Strategies should focus on reducing fear and improving attitudes toward the care of COVID-19 patients, as well as the promotion of preventive practices.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices About COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Iran During the First Wave of the Pandemic

“…More than 90% of HCWs correctly identified the cause of COVID-19, its route of transmission, and major preventive practices. The three most renowned symptoms, including fever, dyspnea, and cough, were correctly recognized by HCWs, which is similar to some other studies ( 10 – 12 ). However, other less-discussed symptoms such as myalgia, malaise, ageusia, anosmia, and gastrointestinal symptoms were less known among HCWs.…”

COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among health care workers in Latin America

“…Estudos anteriores relataram que a maioria dos profissionais de saúde tem atitudes positivas em relação à COVID-19, e isso apresentou associação com idade, gênero, categoria profissional, escolaridade, tipo de hospital e participação em cursos on-line. (13,27,(29)(30)(31) Constatamos também que 60% dos profissionais de saúde tinham receio de não prestar atendimento adequado, e os principais motivos foram preocupações com a falta de pessoal, a falta de EPI, a sobrecarga de trabalho e dilemas éticos. A América Latina tem uma das maiores taxas de infecção por COVID-19 do mundo, e vários fatores de risco foram sugeridos, incluindo a falta de recursos humanos e institucionais, (13,32) o que pode explicar as preocupações dos profissionais de saúde.…”

“…(13,27,(29)(30)(31) Constatamos também que 60% dos profissionais de saúde tinham receio de não prestar atendimento adequado, e os principais motivos foram preocupações com a falta de pessoal, a falta de EPI, a sobrecarga de trabalho e dilemas éticos. A América Latina tem uma das maiores taxas de infecção por COVID-19 do mundo, e vários fatores de risco foram sugeridos, incluindo a falta de recursos humanos e institucionais, (13,32) o que pode explicar as preocupações dos profissionais de saúde. Além disso, uma parcela considerável dos respondentes relatou falta de leitos e/ou de ventiladores mecânicos nas instituições em que trabalhavam.…”

“…(4,8) As instituições de saúde em contextos com poucos recursos, como a América Latina, tiveram acesso limitado a EPI durante o primeiro surto de COVID-19 no início de 2020. (12,13) Além disso, a falta de protocolos clínicos e treinamento institucionais, o aumento das horas de trabalho e a escassez de recursos, incluindo leitos de UTI, medicamentos e ventiladores, representaram barreiras adicionais para os profissionais de saúde atenderem os pacientes com COVID-19 nesses contextos.…”

Burnout prevalence and contributing factors among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey study in an urban community in Thailand

“…HCWs are at the forefront in the containment of COVID-19 and hence are at an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 [ 7 ]. However, COVID-19 represents an occupational health risk among HCWs due to their frequent exposure to infected individuals and higher risk rate than others in the population [ 8 ]. This evidence might lead to some HCWs having burnout during work.…”