Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: September | Volume: 8 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 1-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20210901
Are We Prepared for the Third Wave? - Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 among Medical Practitioners in India
Lokesh Kumar. S1, Nirosha. P2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics,
Velammal Medical College Hospital and Reseach Institute, Madurai.
Corresponding Author: Lokesh Kumar. S
ABSTRACT
Background: The second wave of the COVID Pandemic spread like wildfire, wreaking havoc on the healthcare system. Medical practitioners must have sufficient knowledge and practice to avoid getting infected and to limit the danger of disease transmission among patients. We conducted this study to assess the current Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards COVID-19 among medical practitioners in India.
Methods: An online cross-sectional questionnaire based study on COVID-19 was conducted among Medical practitioners using snowball sampling technique over 1 month period (16th April 2021 to 15th May 2021). Knowledge, Attitude, Practice score relation to independent variables and correlation between scores were analyzed.
Results: Out of 306 responses assessed, The Mean Knowledge score was 55.2±10.5 and 52.9% had Knowledge above the mean. Overall attitude score was 62.5±23.1, Only 46.4 % were confident in managing a COVID patient. The Overall practice score was 89.8±16 which is better compared to Knowledge and attitude. A statistically significant (p=0.04) higher knowledge was observed among Postgraduates. Males (p=0.03) and older people (p =0.002) had better attitude. Superspecialists had statistically significant better practice (p=0.006). Knowledge and attitude score correlation (p=0.03), symptom spread vs treatment outcome score difference (p=0.0005) were statistically significant.
Conclusion: Only half of the medical practitioners had good Knowledge about COVID 19. Only less than half had confidence in managing COVID patients and also there was a lacuna in PPE usage. A unified treatment protocol and periodic training could improve clinical knowledge. Stronger healthcare and positive reinforcement of preventive practices could help in better handling of the pandemic in the future.
Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemic, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Medical Practitioners, India, second wave
[PDF Full Text]