Knowledge and Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic during the First Wave (Feb–May 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study among Italian Healthcare Workers

Caterina Rizzo, Ilaria Campagna, Elisabetta Pandolfi, Ileana Croci, Luisa Russo, Sara Ciampini, Francesco Gesualdo, Alberto Eugenio Tozzi, Lara Ricotta, Massimiliano Raponi and Marta Luisa Ciofi Degli Atti
Additional contact information
Caterina Rizzo: Clinical Pathways and Epidemiology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Ilaria Campagna: Multifactorial Disease and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Elisabetta Pandolfi: Multifactorial Disease and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Ileana Croci: Multifactorial Disease and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Luisa Russo: Multifactorial Disease and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Sara Ciampini: Public Health Service, Local Health Authority Rome 1, Borgo Santo Spirito 3, 00193 Rome, Italy
Francesco Gesualdo: Multifactorial Disease and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Alberto Eugenio Tozzi: Multifactorial Disease and Complex Disease Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy
Lara Ricotta: Medical Direction, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
Massimiliano Raponi: Medical Direction, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
Marta Luisa Ciofi Degli Atti: Clinical Pathways and Epidemiology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCSS, Viale di Villa Pamphili 100, 00152 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Italy was the first country in Europe to face the coronavirus pandemic. The aim of the study was to analyze healthcare workers’ (HCWs) level of information, practice, and risk perception towards COVID-19. We set up a cross-sectional study through SurveyMonkey ® and distributed the link through Facebook and Whatsapp closed groups. The research instrument was a 31 items questionnaire distributed using Facebook and Whatsapp. It was conducted in Italy from February to May 2020. The study participants were general practitioners, pediatricians and other health professionals. A total of 958 participants were included: 320 (33.4%) general practitioners, 248 (25.9%) pediatricians and 390 (40.7%) other health professionals. The highest response rate was from Northern Italy (48.1%), followed by Central Italy (29.9%) and Southern Italy (22.0%). Less than a half (46%) of respondents felt they had a good level of information of COVID-19 case definition and of national prevention guidelines. Respondents reported to have changed their clinical practice; particularly, they increased the use of masks (87.1%, p < 0.001), disinfection and sanitization of doctors’ offices (75.8%, p < 0.001), the use of protective glasses (71.2%, p < 0.001), alcoholic hand solution (71.2%, p < 0.001), and hand washing (31.8%, p = 0.028). HCWs are at high risk of infection; less than a half of them felt adequately prepared to face COVID-19 pandemic, so they need extensive information and awareness of the disease to take adequate precautionary measures, and they are crucial to disseminate good practices.

Keywords: information; attitude; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; healthcare workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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