Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Covid-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Venezuela

An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID22082995
AuthorsDaniela Lucía Mendoza Millán, Fhabián S Carrión‐Nessi (0000-0003-4415-8646), Fhabián Stevens Carrión-Nessi, Mario Daniel Mejía Bernard (Central University of Venezuela), María Victoria Marcano-Rojas, Óscar Daniel Omaña Ávila, Óscar D Omaña‐Ávila (0000-0002-4505-215X, Central University of Venezuela), Juan Manuel Doval Fernández (Central University of Venezuela), Fabián Rafael Chacón Labrador (Central University of Venezuela), Adriana Rodríguez (0000-0002-4065-9366, Central University of Venezuela), Adriana Quintero Rodríguez, Sebastian Gasparini Vega (Central University of Venezuela), Adriana Tami (0000-0002-1918-9144, University Medical Center Groningen), Andrea L Maricuto (0000-0002-3557-0877, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Caracas), Viledy L Velásquez (0000-0003-0261-3559, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Caracas), María Eugenia Landaeta (0000-0001-9295-7296, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Caracas), Manuel E Figuera (0000-0001-7381-3094, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Caracas), Manuel Figuera, Melynar Chavero, Luisamy Figuera, Natasha A Camejo-Ávila, Natasha A Camejo‐Ávila (0000-0001-9131-7852), David A Forero‐Peña (0000-0002-8065-8464, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Caracas), David A Forero-Peña
Year2021
Volume9
Pages633723-633723
Publication date2021-07-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.633723
PMID34327183
OpenAlexW3182171326
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited34

Background: The deterioration of Venezuela's health system in recent years undoubtedly contributes to an increased impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic could inform their medical training and improve their preparedness. Methods: A online national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 26th and May 30th, 2020, to assess KAPs among HCWs in Venezuela. Results: A total of 1,441 HCWs from all 24 regions of the country responded to the survey. The mean age of the HCWs was 44 ( SD [standard deviation] 14) years; most were women (66.4%). Most HCWs were specialized doctors (48%), followed by nurses (13%) and resident doctors (12.3%). The majority of HCWs had good knowledge (76.3%), obtained information mainly from scientific literature (85.4%); had negative attitudes (53.6%), felt uncomfortable with their work during the current pandemic (59.8%); and reported appropriate practices (76.9%). However, participation in COVID-19 related training was absent in more than half of the HCWs. Positive attitudes were significantly more frequent in frontline workers than in non-frontline workers ( p = 0.001). Bioanalysts, students, and doctors were more likely to have good knowledge; participating in training was a predictor for positive attitudes and older age was an appropriate practice predictor. Conclusions: HCWs, knowledge in Venezuela could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. Strategies should focus on reducing fear and improving attitudes toward the care of COVID-19 patients, as well as the promotion of preventive practices

Computer-assisted web interviewing · Cross-sectional study · Disease · Family medicine · Health care · Pandemic · Preparedness · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies · Medicine · Nursing

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