Journal of
Public Health and Epidemiology

  • Abbreviation: J. Public Health Epidemiol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2316
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPHE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 655

Full Length Research Paper

Preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic response in a country emerging from an Ebola Epidemic: Assessment of health workers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guinea

Ibrahima Camara
  • Ibrahima Camara
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Abdoulaye Touré
  • Abdoulaye Touré
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Alioune Camara
  • Alioune Camara
  • Chaire de Santé Publique, Département de Pharmacie, Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Frederic Le Marcis
  • Frederic Le Marcis
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Salifou Talassone Bangoura
  • Salifou Talassone Bangoura
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Cécé Kpamou
  • Cécé Kpamou
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Mamadou Saliou Sow
  • Mamadou Saliou Sow
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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Alpha Kabinet Keita
  • Alpha Kabinet Keita
  • Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG), Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Guinea.
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  •  Received: 15 September 2020
  •  Accepted: 11 November 2020
  •  Published: 30 November 2020

Abstract

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Scope (USPPI). The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical personnel on the prevention of Covid-2019. A cross-sectional study among front-line health workers in the health facilities in the city of Conakry was carried out. The knowledge and attitude score were performed and categorized in 2: Good if ≥ at the average score and bad if < 50%. Logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors associated with knowledge and attitude. Among 548 health workers surveyed, 70.6% had a good knowledge of Covid-19. Among the health personnel interviewed, 57.7% had a good attitude towards a suspected case of Covid-19. Independent factors associated with poor knowledge of Covid-19 prevention were sex, health facility, and staff grade. As for poor attitude, the associated factors were knowledge of Ebola cases reported in the facility and the rank of the health staff. The health personnel have good knowledge of the virus but the attitudes are not related to knowledge. This study could serve as a basis for reorienting interventions involving front-line staff.               

Key words: COVID-19, health facilities, knowledge, attitudes, professional practice, Guinea.