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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) of Health Care Professionals in Greece before the Outbreak Period

Author

Listed:
  • Dimitrios Papagiannis

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece)

  • Foteini Malli

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
    Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Dimitrios G. Raptis

    (Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Ioanna V. Papathanasiou

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece)

  • Evangelos C. Fradelos

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece)

  • Zoe Daniil

    (Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Georgios Rachiotis

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Health Science, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis

    (Respiratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece)

Abstract

Introduction: The ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 pandemic has expanded globally. The aim of the current study is to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of health care professionals in Greece towards SARS-CoV-2. Methods: From 10–25 February 2020, 500 health care workers were approached. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards SARS-CoV-2 were assessed via a personal interview questionnaire. For knowledge, each correct answer was given 1 point; attitudes, or concerns aimed at prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and practices, or behaviors towards performing preventive practices, were assigned 1 point each. Points were summed and a score for each category was calculated. Results: A total of 461 health care workers returned the questionnaire and were included in the analysis (mean age ± SD: 44.2 ± 10.78 years, 74% females). The majority were nurses (47.5%), followed by physicians (30.5%) and paramedics (19%). The majority of subjects (88.28%) had a good level of knowledge (knowledge score equal to 4, or more). The majority of participants (71%) agreed with the temporary traveling restrictions ban. The uptake of a future vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 was estimated at 43%. Knowledge score was significantly associated with both attitudes score ( p = 0.011) and practices score ( p < 0.001), indicating that subjects with a high knowledge score demonstrated a more positive perception on preventive measures and would practice more preventive measures. Attitudes score was significantly associated with practices score ( p = 0.009) indicating that subjects with a higher attitudes score are more likely to perform practices towards the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Conclusion: There is a high level of knowledge concerning SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among Greek health care workers and this is significantly associated with positive attitudes and practices towards preventive health measures. The high level of knowledge of health professionals about SARS-CoV-2 may have contributed considerably to the successful management of the pandemic in Greece. Tailored educational campaigns aiming to increase the proportion of health care workers willing to accept a potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine could be of paramount importance in future proactive vaccine educational campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios Papagiannis & Foteini Malli & Dimitrios G. Raptis & Ioanna V. Papathanasiou & Evangelos C. Fradelos & Zoe Daniil & Georgios Rachiotis & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, 2020. "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) of Health Care Professionals in Greece before the Outbreak Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:4925-:d:382087
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    3. Gun Ja Jang & Ginam Jang & Sangjin Ko, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Preventive Practice of International Students in South Korea against COVID-19 during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-10, February.
    4. Johannes Korth & Benjamin Wilde & Sebastian Dolff & Jasmin Frisch & Michael Jahn & Adalbert Krawczyk & Mirko Trilling & Leonie Schipper & Sebastian Cordes & Birgit Ross & Monika Lindemann & Andreas Kr, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers in Germany: A Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, April.
    5. Muhammad Muslih & Henny Dwi Susanti & Yohanes Andy Rias & Min-Huey Chung, 2021. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Indonesian Residents toward COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Hyun-Ok Jung & Seung-Woo Han, 2021. "The Effect of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Korean Correctional Officers about COVID-19 on Job Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-8, July.
    7. Daniel Lucheș & Despina Saghin & Maria-Magdalena Lupchian, 2021. "Public Perception of the First Major SARS-Cov-2 Outbreak in the Suceava County, Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Panagiotis Prezerakos & Katerina Dadouli & Eirini Agapidaki & Christina-Maria Kravvari & Ioanna Avakian & Athanasia-Marina Peristeri & Lemonia Anagnostopoulos & Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Konstantinos N., 2022. "Behavioral and Cultural Insights, a Nationwide Study Based on Repetitive Surveys of WHO Behavioral Insights Tool in Greece Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Acceptance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Sujarwoto Sujarwoto & Holipah Holipah & Asri Maharani, 2022. "A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning COVID-19 Outbreaks in the General Population in Malang District, Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-16, April.
    10. Usman Rashid Malik & Naveel Atif & Furqan Khurshid Hashmi & Fahad Saleem & Hamid Saeed & Muhammad Islam & Minghuan Jiang & Mingyue Zhao & Caijun Yang & Yu Fang, 2020. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Healthcare Professionals on COVID-19 and Risk Assessment to Prevent the Epidemic Spread: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study from Punjab, Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, September.
    11. Filip Raciborski & Mateusz Jankowski & Mariusz Gujski & Jarosław Pinkas & Piotr Samel-Kowalik & Artur Zaczyński & Igor Pańkowski & Kamil Rakocy & Waldemar Wierzba, 2020. "Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Police Officers in Poland—Implications for Public Health Policies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-16, December.
    12. Maryam Abdulrazaq Habib & Farouq Muhammad Dayyab & Garba Iliyasu & Abdulrazaq G Habib, 2021. "Knowledge, attitude and practice survey of COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Nigeria," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, January.
    13. Davi Amaral Cesario Rosa & Stéfanny Santos de Sousa & Murillo Nasser Rayol da Silva & Lauanda Raissa Reis Gamboge & Rodolfo Deusdará & Juliana Lapa, 2022. "Knowledge about COVID-19 and Associated Factors Early in the Outbreak among the Brazilian Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-9, October.

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