Covid-19: awareness and attitude of healthcare professionals at a tertiary care centre in central india

Background: Rapid and extensive spread of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for healthcare professionals (HCP), who have a crucial role to play in identification, assessment, reporting and management of cases of COVID-19. A poor understanding of the disease among healthcare workers may result in delay in identification and treatment and in addition rapid spread of infection. Hence the present study was conducted to assess the current level of awareness and attitude of healthcare professionals regarding COVID-19.
Materials and methods: Present cross sectional study was conducted in 1283 respondents at a tertiary-care hospital and teaching institute using an online semi-structured questionnaire. Questionnaire comprised of demographic characteristics, questions regarding the knowledge of COVID-19 and attitude followed by lifestyle modifications practised by HCP. Statistical analysis was done using open Epi info.
Results: The principal source of information about COVID-19 was social media .The overall awareness for all subgroups was good. However, a higher percentage of correct responses were obtained from postgraduate medical students and interns as compared to the nurses. The attitude of healthcare professionals towards COVID 19 appeared to be fairly positive. Health care professionals had implemented lifestyle modifications like improvement in personal hygiene, consumption of fruits, vitamin supplements, herbal tonics and practising pranayam, yoga, and meditation to boost their immunity.
Conclusion: Healthcare professionals have fairly good awareness of COVID-19 and positive attitude. However certain gaps in their knowledge need to be addressed by conducting periodic educational interventions and training programs.