KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES OF HEALTH WORKERS'DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICIN GBEKE REGION; COTE D’IVOIRE

Abstract

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic is impacting health systems around the world. Healthcare workers' (HCWs) are at the forefront of the fight. Patient care therefore puts these health workers at risk of contamination. The observation of preventive measures against a disease is affected by knowledge. Aim: We carried out this study among Ivorian HCWs on knowledge, perceptions and practices to contribute to improvement to the activities against Covid-19 in care environment.

Methods: We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional survey from May 5 to 10, 2020 with HCWs working

in the first contact health facilities. Sample size was determined using Epi Info-TM software. Our sample size was 363 health workers from 6 health districts.

Results: Almost all of the subjects of our sample had a good level of overall knowledge (99.17%). They perceived the Covid-19 as a very serious disease (86.78%) and very contagious (97.52%). Less than a sixth (17%) of subjects with masks did not use them regularly; and the main reason given was mainly insufficient masks (89.66%). In addition, almost all subjects washed their hands regularly with soap and water (98.07%).

Conclusion: These risky attitudes observed in our study raise the issue of resource management in an epidemic context.