AWARENESS ON NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AMONG HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN SOUTHERN PART OF INDIA

Dr. Venkata Rama Rao Nallani*, Prof. Rama Rao Nadendla and Kavuri Naga Swathi Sree

ABSTRACT

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). World Health Organization (WHO) formally named the disease as “COVID-19” and declared it as health emergency due to its continues spread globally. It has become a major cause of concern for health care professionals all over the world. Aim/objectives: Aim and objective of the study to assess the awareness regarding COVID-19 among health care providers in southern part of India. Materials and methods: A cross sectional online based survey conducted during the month of April due to strict lockdown effect. A designed and validated questionnaire was administered to participants through online mode. Data was collected and tabulated. Knowledge score was calculated among health care providers. Results: A total of 1422 sample were responded to online questionnaire. The respond rate of participants to survey questionnaire was about 96.5%. Regarding profession of subjects most of the subjects were pharmacy back ground which were 36% of B.Pharmacy, 12.4% of Pharm.D and 19.4% of M.Pharmacy graduates. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals were few with 5.6%, 5.0%, 6.1% and 14.9% respectively. Regarding symptoms, transmission of virus and preventive methods most of the health care providers (HCP) have adequate knowledge with percentage of 96% 76% and 93% respectively. Participants have altered knowledge about history of corona isolation (48%), facts about spread (74%), structure of virus (95%), diagnosis (62%), common disinfectant usage in India (74%), incubation period (89%), family of virus (84%) and latin name of virus (56%). Conclusion: The knowledge score of individuals was calculated and categorized into low knowledge (1%), moderate knowledge (39%) and high knowledge (60%). Overall results of the study shows that almost more than half of the health care providers have adequate knowledge regarding COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, preventive measures but moderate knowledge regarding history and few diagnosis techniques of corona virus. Additional education intervention and campaigns are required for health care providers to avail them with the knowledge regarding all aspects of COVID-19.

Keywords: Corona virus, Knowledge, Health care providers, Awareness, Southern India.