Abstract of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMA SCIENCES AND RESEARCH (IJPSR)

ABSTRACT

Title

COVID-19 Outbreak: Awareness and Knowledge among Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria

Authors

Benedict Ejikemeuwa Eya, Otuto Amarauche Chukwu, Abubakar Danraka, Ezinne V.C Onwuekwe, Elias Aminu, Ernest Onyedika Umeorah

Keywords

Issue Date

Mar 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new contagious strain of the coronavirus. COVID-19 has been declared a public health emergency of international concern with cases confirmed in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa with majority of the spread occurring in regions with more resilient and robust health systems. With Africa beginning to experience pockets of confirmed cases and the established weaknesses in the healthcare system of many African countries such as Nigeria, the capacity required to contain COVID-19 may be lacking. Given the lack of capacity in managing other disease outbreaks such as Lassa fever, it may be pertinent to assess the knowledge of Nigerian healthcare professionals on COVID-19 and provide evidence to foster knowledge and capacity building. METHODS: The study was set in Abuja, Nigeria. 500 randomly sampled respondents comprising of healthcare professionals received a pre-tested 14-item self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire addressing demographics and awareness and knowledge on COVID-19. Descriptive statistics were applied in data analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Four hundred and eleven (411) questionnaires were duly completed and returned, giving a response rate of 82.2%. Majority of respondents (98.3%) are aware of the COVID-19 outbreak. About 1 in 4 respondents (24.82%) could outline major symptoms of COVID-19 while 20.92% could outline at least four major preventive measures. About 3 in 4 respondents (71.7%) knew the treatment modality for COVID-19 out of which 25.3% were nurses. 25% were physicians, 30.6% were pharmacists while 19.2% were medical laboratory scientists. (p = 0.000) CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals in Nigeria have shown limited awareness and knowledge on COVID-19. Hence there is need for knowledge and capacity building for healthcare professionals in Nigeria on COVID-19. This will help to boost the country’s preparedness to contain an outbreak of the disease.

Page(s)

48-51

ISSN

0975-9492

Source

Vol. 11, No.03