TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of COVID-19 Among Healthcare and Non-Healthcare Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa
T2 - A Web-Based Survey
AU - Ekpenyong, Bernadine N.
AU - Osuagwu, Uchechukwu L.
AU - Miner, Chundung Asabe
AU - Ovenseri-Ogbomo, Godwin O.
AU - Abu, Emmanuel Kwasi
AU - Goson, Piwuna Christopher
AU - Langsi, Raymond
AU - Nwaeze, Obinna
AU - Chikasirimobi, Timothy G.
AU - Charwe, Deborah Donald
AU - Mashige, Khathutshelo Percy
AU - Oloruntoba, Richard
AU - Ishaya, Tanko
AU - Agho, Kingsley Emwinyore
N1 - Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
This record is sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
PY - 2021/7/1
Y1 - 2021/7/1
N2 - Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated high mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, there is panic among healthcare workers because of the higher risk of being infected. This study compared knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) and examined common associated factors. A web-based cross-sectional study of 1,871 respondents (430 HCWs and 1,441 non-HCWs) was conducted while lockdown measures were in place in 4 regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Data were obtained using a validated self-administered questionnaire via an online survey platform. Mean scores were calculated and summarized using a t test for both groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the unadjusted (B) and adjusted coefficients (β) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. The mean scores were slightly higher among HCWs than non-HCWs, but not statistically significant. Being worried about contracting COVID-19 was the only common factor associated with knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions between the 2 groups. Knowledge of COVID-19 was associated with attitudes and perceptions between the 2 groups. Other significant associated factors were: the sub-Saharan Africa region, ages 29 to 38 years (β = .32; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.60 for knowledge among non-HCWs), education (β = -.43; 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.04; and β = -.95; 95% CI, -1.69 to -0.22, for knowledge among non-HCWs and HCWs, respectively), practice of self-isolation (β = .71; 95% CI, 0.41 to 1.02 for attitude among non-HCWs and HCWs (β = .97; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.49), and home quarantine due to COVID-19, in both groups. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these factors when targeting interventions during COVID-19 and other future pandemics.
AB - Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated high mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, there is panic among healthcare workers because of the higher risk of being infected. This study compared knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) and examined common associated factors. A web-based cross-sectional study of 1,871 respondents (430 HCWs and 1,441 non-HCWs) was conducted while lockdown measures were in place in 4 regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Data were obtained using a validated self-administered questionnaire via an online survey platform. Mean scores were calculated and summarized using a t test for both groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the unadjusted (B) and adjusted coefficients (β) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. The mean scores were slightly higher among HCWs than non-HCWs, but not statistically significant. Being worried about contracting COVID-19 was the only common factor associated with knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions between the 2 groups. Knowledge of COVID-19 was associated with attitudes and perceptions between the 2 groups. Other significant associated factors were: the sub-Saharan Africa region, ages 29 to 38 years (β = .32; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.60 for knowledge among non-HCWs), education (β = -.43; 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.04; and β = -.95; 95% CI, -1.69 to -0.22, for knowledge among non-HCWs and HCWs, respectively), practice of self-isolation (β = .71; 95% CI, 0.41 to 1.02 for attitude among non-HCWs and HCWs (β = .97; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.49), and home quarantine due to COVID-19, in both groups. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these factors when targeting interventions during COVID-19 and other future pandemics.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Frontline workers
KW - Lockdown
KW - Public health preparedness/response
KW - Risk perception
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85114846240&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85114846240&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/hs.2020.0208
DO - 10.1089/hs.2020.0208
M3 - Article
C2 - 34227870
AN - SCOPUS:85114846240
SN - 2326-5108
VL - 19
SP - 393
EP - 404
JO - Health Security
JF - Health Security
IS - 4
ER -