COVID 19: Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices of Healthcare Workers in Northern Nigeria

1. Introduction

The emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been a source of alarm globally and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.1,2 It is highly infectious and spread by human-to-human transmission via droplets or direct contact.3 Although the disease is zoonotic, the intermediate host for transmission is yet to be identified.1, 4 The ongoing outbreak started in December 2019 in Hubei Province of the People’s Republic of China and has spread to many other countries with over 6 million confirmed cases and rising worldwide.5 In Africa, over 100,000 confirmed cases have been reported with all countries within the continent affected. Nigeria with more than 10,000 confirmed cases is the second country with the highest number of cases in Africa.5 It is important to understand the dynamics underlying transmission and the human response emanating therein to guide a robust response to the epidemic.

Being in the frontline of response to the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of becoming infected and possibly transmitting to patients and visitors to health facilities. Studies have identified lapses in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings as major drivers of uninterrupted transmission of certain diseases.6, 7 This becomes more pronounced in situations where an outbreak exists. Worldwide, healthcare associated infections affect more than 1.4 million with a burden that is 2–20 times higher in developing countries.8 Failure to adhere to proper infection prevention practices may expose healthcare workers, patients and communities to increased risk. Although the extent of COVID-19 infection in health care settings is still under investigation, the disease with a mean reproductive number of 3.28,4 may contribute significantly to healthcare-associated transmission, especially in settings like ours Nigeria, adjudged to have a moderate capacity to deal with the spread of the disease.9.

In Nigeria, more than 800 HCWs have been infected with the virus.10 Personal behaviors affect HCWs’ response to the prevention and control of hospital infections. These behaviors are in turn influenced by their knowledge, attitude, and practice on the specific issue. As such, what healthcare professionals know, believe, and do concerning the prevention of COVID-19 is bound to influence their infection control strategies and action plans. A study from the Middle East revealed that 42.9% of health professionals were not sure that the standard surgical mask would protect them from H1N1, 22.1% did not believe that washing hands with water and soap is protective, and 27.3% were undecided.11 A survey on health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 in China noted that the majority (>89%) had sufficient knowledge and followed correct practices regarding COVID-19.12 While a similar study from Pakistan noted comparable levels of knowledge and practice (93.2% and 88.7% respectively),13 another from Uganda noted lower levels (69% and 74%).14

Insufficient personal protection equipment for HCWs and isolation facilities, environmental contamination and overcrowding have worsened COVID-19 response and management strategies in various locales including Nigeria.15 Consequently, HCWs are required to adhere to the standard infection prevention procedures in order to lessen the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Understanding the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health care professionals towards prevention of COVID-19 is essential to maintain a sustained change in behavior and to improve practices when designing setting-congruent interventions. Kano State, being one of the most populous states in Nigeria, stands at higher risk if health care workers do not comply with infection control measures.

Kano State is located in the North-western geo-political zone of Nigeria. It is one of the most populous states in the country with a 2019 projected population of 13,065,294 people based on the 2006 National Population Census.16 Health services are provided via three tiers of government namely; primary health care by the Local Government, secondary health care by the State Government, tertiary care by the Federal Government, and then there are private facilities that provide different services. Currently, there are 239 private health facilities (HFs) in the state, two tertiary, 64 secondary, and 1,241 primary health care institutions. Different cadres of healthcare workers work within these facilities with community health workers being the most ubiquitous. The state with over one thousand confirmed cases has the second largest number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. Consequently, this study seeks to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of HCWs regarding COVID-19 in Kano, Nigeria. Findings could inform policy dialogue and provide useful information on the prevention of transmission within and outside the healthcare setting.

2. Methods

3. Results

The link to the questionnaire was sent to 651 HCWs and 233 of them completed the online questionnaire giving a response rate of 35.8%. The age of the respondents ranged from 21 to 57 years with a mean and SD of 35.5± 7.9 years. The majority were Muslims (85.8%) with three-quarters (75.0%) of them from Hausa/Fulani tribe. Almost half (41.6%) were in their fourth decade of life and another half (50.2%) had a Bachelor’s degree or a medical degree as their highest qualification. Many were medical doctors (35.6%) and a third (37.3%) worked in a tertiary facility (Table 1).

4. Discussion

We explored the KAP of HCWs regarding COVID-19 in Nigeria. In an evaluation of a diverse group of 233 HCWs; including doctors, nurses, and paramedics; we found evidence to suggest that majority of the HCWs in this study had good aggregated knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices on COVID-19. However, there was a gap in knowledge of the zoonotic origin of the virus and whether or not there is a cure for it.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the KAP of HCWs on COVID-19 in Kano, Nigeria. While it was encouraging that majority of the HCWs had sufficient knowledge on COVID-19 and all of them were aware of how to prevent it, the type of health facility and professional cadre determined their level of knowledge. Specifically, those working in primary, secondary, and private facilities had less knowledge than those working in tertiary facilities while Community Health Officers/Community Health Extension Workers and others (Environmental health officers, dental technicians, etc.) had less knowledge than doctors. Although it is expected that doctors and HCWs at teaching hospitals and isolation centres are the core staff at the frontline of battling the pandemic, this fraction of community health workers who are less knowledgeable would be a weak link and be at increased risk of contracting the disease. At the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of efforts and focus were concentrated at the tertiary level of care which consisted majorly of doctors. Also, doctors and staff of tertiary institutions who are more involved in the care of patients may seek out more information13 than the other cadre of staff. This may partly explain why the staffs at the secondary, primary level of care and private health facilities with their complimentary staff were less knowledgeable on COVID-19.

Most respondents had a positive attitude towards COVID-19 which was associated with knowledge on COVID-19, an array of socio-demographic characteristics, professional qualifications, and type of health facility. The reasons why older (40-49 vs 20-29 years), female and Christian respondents had a better attitude than their counterparts are not very clear and may need to be explored in subsequent studies. Some studies noted that attitude towards COVID-19 was not associated with socio-demographic and job characteristics.13, 18 In this study, HCWs with higher or specialty training had a better attitude and this maybe because they were likely to have sought more information on COVID-19 or may have been directly involved in the care of patients or both. Adequate knowledge on a subject has been noted as a prerequisite for good attitude and practice,13, 19 as knowledge was also the only predictor of good practice in this study. The role of disseminating correct, appropriate, and timely information particularly during emergencies is crucial in building capacity and improving the performance of HCWs.

The finding on COVID-19 knowledge in our study (83.7%) is comparable to findings from the Nigerian general populace (83.8%)20 and the US (80.0%)21; but lower than what was reported among HCWs in China (89%)12and Pakistan (93.2%)13The level of knowledge, however, was higher than what was reported among HCWs in Uganda (69.0%),14and university students and staff in Pakistan (50.2%).18 The proportion of HCWs (78.9%) with a positive attitude to COVID-19 in this study is higher than was reported in the general populace in Pakistan (65.4%),18 but not comparable to that observed among HCWs in Uganda (21.0%).14

Practice in this study (77.6%) is lower than was noted among HCWs in China (89.7%),12 Pakistan (88.7%),13 although higher than was reported among respondents in the university community in Pakistan(36.5%).18 Respondents’ personal and environmental characteristics as well as the fact that these studies were conducted at different timings during the pandemic may explain the differences in levels of KAP observed.

While the current findings are encouraging that HCWs are knowledgeable, have good attitude and prevention practices towards COVID-19, more emphasis with information dissemination should be directed at the lower levels of care (secondary, primary, and private) and their health personnel. It is noteworthy that the risk of infection may still be high and largely dependent on the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), appropriate donning and doffing techniques, HCWs behaviour in observing precautionary measures and in managing emergencies, work overload, stress, and degree of occupational exposure. These have been noted to influence the risk of getting infected.22 Notably, the majority of our respondents reported elevated vulnerability and risk of getting infected at work and in their communities. This may either promote fear or drive adherence to preventive practices.

This study has limitations. The study has a limited sample size and may not necessarily reflect the true proportion of HCWs’ disposition on COVID-19. A reasonable attempt was made at reaching out to a larger group of HCWs but with limited success due to prevailing social constraints from the pandemic. The study has highlighted an appreciation of a fair KAP among HCWs and how job qualifications may impact on their practice of infection control. Consequently, it allows resources to be dedicated to planning continuing professional development programs and creating an enabling environment for HCWs to provide quality care using effective PPE. Our findings would be useful in the context of HCWs practicing in Nigeria and other countries with similar socio-economic circumstances.

5. Conclusion and Global Health Implications

The study has highlighted an appreciation of a fair KAP among HCWs and how job qualifications may impact on their practice of infection control. Consequently, it allows resources to be dedicated to planning continuing professional development programs and creating an enabling environment for HCWs to provide quality care using effective PPE. Our findings would be useful in the context of HCWs practicing in Nigeria and other countries with similar socio-economic circumstances.