Approach of the Health care providers towards COVID-19; Three months of Pandemic, Where do we stand now.

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Background:

COVID19 has been a disastrous pandemic infecting millions across the globe. Health care providers are the one who at an increased risk of contracting this infection due to their immense exposure.

Our study aims to access the knowledge and mental status of HCPs after being through three months of this pandemic as they have witnessed the morbidities, mortalities and sufferings during this period.

Method: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted including 309 Health Care Professional. They filled the self administered questionnaire which accessed the knowledge and mental health status. Categorical socio-demographic variables were measured by frequencies and percentages of occurrence while Numerical variables were measured as mean and standard deviations. Mean Knowledge and Mental health scores were calculated.  Inferential statistics including Chi-square tests and T test which were applied to find the difference in responses by demographic characteristics. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between different variables.

Results: Over all mean score for Knowledge was 10.18±1.7and Mean Mental health score were 12.4±3.89. Doctors had a higher mean Knowledge score (10.7±1.63) as compared to nurses (9.7±1.72 ) and paramedics(9.8±1.83). Among the Doctors, 84.9% had Good knowledge scores as compared to 60% and 61% of the nurses and paramedics respectively. Doctors had a lower mean Mental health score (11.51± 4.14) as compared to nurses (13.58±3.250) and paramedics (12.58±3.814) respectively. Females had a higher Mean Mental Health score as compared to males. (12.97±3.750 vs 11.81±3.967) Pearson Correlation analysis showed weak negative correlation between Knowledge and Mental health scores (r=-0.032, P value=0.57).

Conclusion:

 Although it has been more than three months since COVID19 emerged to become a pandemic, there still remains a need to educate our health care professionals especially nurses and paramedics. Measures should be taken to alleviate the stress and depression of HCPs.

Key Words: Health care professional, Knowledge scores, Mental health scores