Knowledge, Perception, and Practices toward COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers of Pediatric Surgery Specialty in a Tertiary Care Center of India: A Cross-sectional Study

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, Education and Research

Author
1. Saswati Behera
2. Shailesh Solanki
3. Monika Bawa
4. Ram Samujh
5. Ravi P Kanojia
ISSN
2277-8969
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1383
Volume
54
Issue
3
Publishing Year
2020
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
    1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
    1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
    1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
    1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
  • Article keywords

    Abstract

    Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has affected more than 100 countries worldwide with more than 100,000 cases, during the first week of March 2020. As there are no approved therapeutics or vaccines for the treatment/prevention of COVID-19 till date, awareness among healthcare workers (HCWs) about the disease, mode of transmission, safety precautions, and early diagnosis plays a great role. Aim and objective: To investigate the knowledge, perception, and practices among HCWs of pediatric surgery toward COVID-19. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among HCWs posted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, PGIMER, during the first week of May 2020 who were supposed to be involved in the care of COVID-suspected or positive patients. A 26-item survey instrument was devised and circulated via e-mail. A Chi-square test was applied to know the levels of associations between variables, with p value < 0.05 set to be significant. Results: Of 100 responders, 98 responded to a question regarding common symptoms with fever (98%), dry cough (89.8%), and sore throat (81.6%). While asked about the situations of pediatric surgical relevance like the progression of severity, majority (75.8%) opted for difficulty in breathing, followed by persistent high fever (78.9%). Regarding routine practices, HCWs were aware of procedures such as endotracheal tube suctioning (99%), tracheal sample collection (90.9%), changing of ventilator tubings (78.8%), and chest physiotherapy (60.6%) which are liable for transmission. Vertical transmission through breast milk and immediate postpartum care of babies born to infected mothers were associated with inadequate knowledge. Conclusion: HCWs are high-risk group for COVID 19; only knowledge and training can help to prevent and contain the disease. HCWs involved in pediatric surgical specialty had accepted levels of perception. Regular scheduled educational and training programs are crucial to fight with this disease.

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