Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) of Health Care Professionals in Greece before the Outbreak Period

Dimitrios Papagiannis, Foteini Malli, Dimitrios G. Raptis, Ioanna V. Papathanasiou, Evangelos C. Fradelos, Zoe Daniil, Georgios Rachiotis and Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis
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Dimitrios Papagiannis: Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Foteini Malli: Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Dimitrios G. Raptis: Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece
Ioanna V. Papathanasiou: Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Evangelos C. Fradelos: Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Zoe Daniil: Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece
Georgios Rachiotis: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Health Science, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece
Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis: Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Introduction: The ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 pandemic has expanded globally. The aim of the current study is to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of health care professionals in Greece towards SARS-CoV-2. Methods: From 10–25 February 2020, 500 health care workers were approached. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards SARS-CoV-2 were assessed via a personal interview questionnaire. For knowledge, each correct answer was given 1 point; attitudes, or concerns aimed at prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and practices, or behaviors towards performing preventive practices, were assigned 1 point each. Points were summed and a score for each category was calculated. Results: A total of 461 health care workers returned the questionnaire and were included in the analysis (mean age ± SD: 44.2 ± 10.78 years, 74% females). The majority were nurses (47.5%), followed by physicians (30.5%) and paramedics (19%). The majority of subjects (88.28%) had a good level of knowledge (knowledge score equal to 4, or more). The majority of participants (71%) agreed with the temporary traveling restrictions ban. The uptake of a future vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 was estimated at 43%. Knowledge score was significantly associated with both attitudes score ( p = 0.011) and practices score ( p < 0.001), indicating that subjects with a high knowledge score demonstrated a more positive perception on preventive measures and would practice more preventive measures. Attitudes score was significantly associated with practices score ( p = 0.009) indicating that subjects with a higher attitudes score are more likely to perform practices towards the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Conclusion: There is a high level of knowledge concerning SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among Greek health care workers and this is significantly associated with positive attitudes and practices towards preventive health measures. The high level of knowledge of health professionals about SARS-CoV-2 may have contributed considerably to the successful management of the pandemic in Greece. Tailored educational campaigns aiming to increase the proportion of health care workers willing to accept a potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine could be of paramount importance in future proactive vaccine educational campaigns.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; health care professionals; knowledge; attitudes and practices; Greece; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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