Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding COVID-19 outbreak among the personnel providing emergency services in India

Abstract

Introduction: The threat of contracting coronavirus persists among individuals constantly coming in direct or indirect contact with positive cases. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) regarding the COVID19 outbreak among the personnel providing emergency services in India and also assess their perception toward government measures during this pandemic. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted among individuals providing services during the period of COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 234 people consented to continue with the survey. Data collection was carried out from April 2020 to June 2020. Data analysis was carried out using Chi-square statistics and Fisher-Freeman-Halton test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Majority of the participants were male and belonged to the age group of 18–54 years. Almost all were aware that COVID-19 is a virus and had knowledge regarding its mode of spread and modes of prevention. Precautions such as covering face with mask, avoiding shaking hands, and washing hands before touching the eyes, nose, and mouth were undertaken by 34.6% of the total participants. Around 70.5% of the males, 53.7% of the females, and 33.3% of the participants from the others' category felt that the funds released by the government to combat corona were efficiently reaching the poor or the needy. Some of the barriers preventing the fair distribution of funds/services to the poor and needy as reported by the participants were corruption, lack of knowledge, delay in delivery and lack of personal protective kits, limited workforce, and no bank account of poor people. Conclusion: KAP of personnel providing emergency services is crucial to the containment of this disease. Understanding of the barriers shall aid policymakers to assess the impact of their preventive programs and also take crucial decisions toward its management. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.