Are we growing tired of being cautious in this apparently endless COVID-19 pandemic: A KAP study in HCWs of a tertiary care center to determine the answer Goyal Nisha1*, Loomba Poonam2, Sharma Abha3, Mishra B4, Thakur Archna5 1Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India 2Director Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi, Delhi, India 3Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi, Delhi, India 4Consultant, Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi, Delhi, India 5Director Professor, Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi, Delhi, India *Corresponding author email id: drnishagoyalucms@gmail.com
Online published on 19 August, 2021. Abstract Objective The recent spurt in cases of COVID-19 in northern India suggests that probably multiple factors are playing their part in the forward march of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other than the environmental attributes, behavioral factors have also being critical in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Are we growing tired of staying under restrictions, either administrative or self-imposed, for the past many months? Methods This cross-sectional study involved 112 HCWs (34 doctors, 37 nurses and 41 paramedical staff). We assessed the trend of preventive practices against COVID-19 over the past months of pandemic. We also analyzed the more recent knowledge about COVID-19 among HCWs like various testing modalities, point of care test, convalescent plasma therapy (CPT), vaccines against COVID-19. Results Primary source of COVID-19 related information was reported as news media by 64.3% of HCWs. About 41.1% of HCWs had knowledge of all available diagnostic tests and 87.5% HCWs acknowledged rRT-PCR as the gold standard test. COVID-19 rapid antigen detection test was correctly reported as the point of care test by 62.5% of HCWs and 76.8% had knowledge that a positive rapid COVID-19 antigen test needs no further confirmation. About the utilization of convalescent plasma therapy in the management of COVID-19 cases, 89.3% HCWs possessed knowledge. However, only 26.8% were aware that only after 2 weeks from symptom resolution, one could donate plasma. Best preventive practices against COVID-19 were observed in March-April and worst in the October. Majority of HCWs had a positive attitude towards COVID-19. Conclusions When nation is struggling to halt the progression of COVID-19, the weariness of HCWs to preventive measures may prove detrimental. Top Keywords COVID-19, KAP study, Practices against COVID-19, Knowledge of COVID-19, Attitude. Top |