Knowledge, Attitude & Practices of Primary Healthcare Workers on COVID-19 from a Rural Setting of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Introduction: Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of COVID-19 pandemic play a significant role in reducing the transmission of the virus. There is limited information available about HCWs KAP regarding COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the KAP of KCWs from a primary healthcare setting in South Africa. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among all medical and nursing healthcare professionals of KwaDabeka Community Healthcare Center (KCHC) and seven PHC clinics. Selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data. Student’s t-test and ANOVA test were carried out to compare the overall mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores between two or more groups. Pearson’s correlation test was undertaken to establish correlation between KAP scores. Results: Majority HCWs were female (82.8%), single or unmarried (56.6%) and nurses comprised the most (69.2%). Nearly half (44%) reported to have recognized vulnerable co-morbid illnesses for COVID-19. Only 24% of HCWs had good knowledge (scored > 60%), however, 81% had positive attitude (scored >60%) and 63% had good practice (>60% scores). Nursing practitioners had significantly lower mean knowledge and practice scores than medical officers and allied healthcare workers (p<0.05). Healthcare workers with bachelor’s degree had significantly higher level of positive attitude (p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of healthcare workers at this primary healthcare facility had poor knowledge and practice but good attitude towards COVID-19 at the middle of the pandemic in SA. Frontline and lowest level healthcare workers need more education and training on basic epidemiology of COVID-19 to prevent occupational transmission.