Corona pandemic: awareness of health care providers in Pakistan

1.
Department of Oral Pathology, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
2.
Department of Oral Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
3.
Department of Community Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
4.
Department of Histopathology, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
5.
Department of Oral Pathology, Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College, Multan, Pakistan

Received: 10 May 2020 Accepted: 20 July 2020 Published: 23 July 2020

Abstract
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Introduction Corona pandemic has resulted in a high mortality rate among health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of health care providers during this pandemic in Punjab, Pakistan. Methods A web based cross sectional survey was conducted during 2^nd of April to 20^th April 2020 targeting health care professionals working in Punjab, Pakistan. A sample of 540 participants was collected using non probability, convenient sampling technique. Data was generated by using on line google forms after taking IRB approval from institution. Results Adequate knowledge was found among health care providers regarding diagnostic tests, modes of transmission, incubation period and preventive strategies. Significant association was seen in knowledge of post graduate and MBBS doctors (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) regarding viral etiology (p = 0.006), sign and symptoms (p = 0.000), risk factors (p = 0.000) and mortality rates (p = 0.001). Hand washing was considered as best preventive measure by 95% of the health care providers. Conclusion Post graduate doctors have better knowledge regarding corona virus disease transmission, risk factors, incubation period and preventive strategies as compared to undergraduate doctors.
- COVID-19,
- health care providers,
- knowledge,
- practices
Citation: Sadia Minhas, Rabia Mushtaq Chaudhry, Aneequa Sajjad, Iram Manzoor, Atika Masood, Muhammad Kashif. Corona pandemic: awareness of health care providers in Pakistan[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2020, 7(3): 548-561. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2020044

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Abstract

Introduction Corona pandemic has resulted in a high mortality rate among health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of health care providers during this pandemic in Punjab, Pakistan. Methods A web based cross sectional survey was conducted during 2^nd of April to 20^th April 2020 targeting health care professionals working in Punjab, Pakistan. A sample of 540 participants was collected using non probability, convenient sampling technique. Data was generated by using on line google forms after taking IRB approval from institution. Results Adequate knowledge was found among health care providers regarding diagnostic tests, modes of transmission, incubation period and preventive strategies. Significant association was seen in knowledge of post graduate and MBBS doctors (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) regarding viral etiology (p = 0.006), sign and symptoms (p = 0.000), risk factors (p = 0.000) and mortality rates (p = 0.001). Hand washing was considered as best preventive measure by 95% of the health care providers. Conclusion Post graduate doctors have better knowledge regarding corona virus disease transmission, risk factors, incubation period and preventive strategies as compared to undergraduate doctors.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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