Conference abstract
Poor knowledge of COVID-19 and unfavourable perception of the response to the pandemic by healthcare workers at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (West Region-Cameroon)
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2023:18(106).03
Oct 2023.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2023.18.106.2214
Archived on: 03 Oct 2023
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Health workers, knowledge, perception, COVID-19, response
Oral presentation
Poor knowledge of COVID-19 and unfavourable perception of the response to the pandemic by healthcare workers at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (West Region-Cameroon)
Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue1,&, Michel Noubom1, Bruno Kenfack1, Zacharie Sando1, George Enow Orock Enowchong2
1Université de Dschang, Dschang, Cameroun, 2Université de Buea, Buea, Cameroun
&Corresponding author
Introduction: WHO warned against a dramatic impact of COVID-19 in Africa unless adequate response strategies are implemented. Whatever the strategy, the role of health staff is pivotal. The objective was to assess knowledge and perception of the response to COVID-19 among health staff.
Methods:we used a convenience non-probabilistic sample to survey with a self-administered questionnaire from April 14 - 29, 2020 at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (BRH). All the staff were invited to participate. Analyses were done with Microsoft Excel 2010 and Epi-Info version 7.1.5.2.
Results: origin and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were poorly known while knowledge of clinical signs and the role of laboratory tests were good. For 53.2% of respondents, all therapeutic regimens are supportive, and only 31.6% trusted state-recommended drugs. For 169 of respondents (36.9%), herbal remedies prevent/cure COVID-19. 70% felt they were not knowledgeable enough to handle COVID-19 cases. 85.6% thought the BRH had insufficient resources to fight COVID-19 and 55.6% were dissatisfied with its response. 68% reported insufficient protection on duty. 76.5% reported a drop in non-COVID-19 services. For 44% of respondents, regulations on COVID-19 corpses should be made more culture-sensitive.
Conclusion: knowledge was poor and perception of the response to COVID-19 was unfavourable.
Poor knowledge of COVID-19 and unfavourable perception of the response to the pandemic by healthcare workers at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (West Region-Cameroon)
Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue1,&, Michel Noubom1, Bruno Kenfack1, Zacharie Sando1, George Enow Orock Enowchong2
1Université de Dschang, Dschang, Cameroun, 2Université de Buea, Buea, Cameroun
&Corresponding author
Introduction: WHO warned against a dramatic impact of COVID-19 in Africa unless adequate response strategies are implemented. Whatever the strategy, the role of health staff is pivotal. The objective was to assess knowledge and perception of the response to COVID-19 among health staff.
Methods:we used a convenience non-probabilistic sample to survey with a self-administered questionnaire from April 14 - 29, 2020 at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (BRH). All the staff were invited to participate. Analyses were done with Microsoft Excel 2010 and Epi-Info version 7.1.5.2.
Results: origin and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were poorly known while knowledge of clinical signs and the role of laboratory tests were good. For 53.2% of respondents, all therapeutic regimens are supportive, and only 31.6% trusted state-recommended drugs. For 169 of respondents (36.9%), herbal remedies prevent/cure COVID-19. 70% felt they were not knowledgeable enough to handle COVID-19 cases. 85.6% thought the BRH had insufficient resources to fight COVID-19 and 55.6% were dissatisfied with its response. 68% reported insufficient protection on duty. 76.5% reported a drop in non-COVID-19 services. For 44% of respondents, regulations on COVID-19 corpses should be made more culture-sensitive.
Conclusion: knowledge was poor and perception of the response to COVID-19 was unfavourable.
