Knowledge and Preparedness on Corona Virus Pandemic among Healthcare Workers in Igembe South ......
Because of incomplete or inaccurate knowledge about COVID -19, the worldwide Corona virus epidemic has caused panic and had massive health and economic implications.
The study's aim was to determine the level of awareness and preparedness among health workers in Igembe South, Meru County, Kenya, for a Corona Virus (COVID –19) pandemic.
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess HCWs' knowledge and preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research took place in Igembe South Health Facilities between March and June 2020.
Methodology: From March to June 2020, 87 health care workers in Igembe South Sub County of Meru County participated in a facility-based cross-sectional analysis to assess their awareness and preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic. A formal Likert's Scale questionnaire was used to collect data. The variables' frequencies and distributions were determined using descriptive analysis.
The findings show that 87 health care workers with a mean age of 34 9 (SD) years, a minimum age of 19 years, and a median age of 60 years were recruited and responded to the study's questions. There were 51 (58.6%) participants with a bachelor's degree, 30 (34.5%) participants with a diploma, and 6 (6.9%) participants with a certificate among the 87 participants. Nurses made up some 32 (36.8%) of the participants. Nutritionists, records officers, support personnel, and social workers were among the other professions included. The vast majority of facilities reported that they had issued Ministry of Health guidance and protocols for COVID-19 case management. In terms of COVID -19 information, Nearly half of the participants (48.3%) agreed that health-care staff were aware of the Corona Virus Pandemic; however, the majority of respondents (50.6%) strongly disagreed that they are prepared with sufficient expertise to treat extreme Corona cases, compared to 8% who strongly agreed that the Corona Virus Incubation period is an average of 7 days and a maximum of 14 days.
Conclusion: The study found that HCWs had above-average awareness and preparedness for COVID-19, but that continuing professional development (CPD) training and support monitoring are needed to ensure that adequate practises are maintained throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Inadequate awareness is not only a risk factor for poor delivery of WHO-approved COVID -19 guidelines met to prevent the spread of COVID -19, but it also raises the occupational risk to health care staff, according to the report.
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