Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline defense against COVID-19 pandemic. Inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes and wrong practices among health care workers towards COVID-19 could directly influence the risk of occupational exposure and quality of care they provide.
Objective: The study was aimed at identifying the status of knowledge, attitude, practices and level of occupational exposure risk perception to SARS-CoV2 infection among healthcare workers in Lesotho during the 2022 period of pandemics.
Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select 5 hospitals from which 152 health care workers were recruited to participate in the survey. Following informed consent process, participants were enrolled into the study. Data were collected using a five section, self and interviewer administered questionnaire, cleaned, checked for duplicates and entered into the SPSS using double entry system, and finally analyzed.
Results: A total of 152 participants assessed. 106(76%) and 106 (70%) had adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. A positive correlation was seen between knowledge and attitude (r=0.215, p<0.001). However good infection prevention and control practice (IPC) was seen only for mask and glove usage.83% of HCWs reported to be at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and they associated the increased risk perception to direct contact with COVID-19 patients sample and working in the facility providing care for COVID-19.
Conclusion: HCWs in Lesotho had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes on COVID-19. However, the level of knowledge did not correlate with practice and more importantly majority of them 83% (n=127) felt being at higher risk of getting COVID-19 despite adequate knowledge good use of IPC measures and no shortage in PPEs.
Key Words: COVID-19, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Occupational Risk perception.