Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge and Perceptions: A Survey of Healthcare Workers

BACKGROUND: During the first week of March, the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reached over 100 countries with more than 100,000 cases Healthcare authorities have already initiated awareness and preparedness activities beyond borders A poor understanding of the disease among healthcare workers (HCWs) may result in delayed treatment and the rapid spread of infection OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and perceptions of HCWs about COVID-19 METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among HCWs about COVID-19 during the first week of March 2020 A 23-item survey instrument was developed and distributed randomly to HCWs using social media;it required 5 minutes to complete A chi-square test was used to investigate the level of association among variables at the significance level of p<0 05 RESULTS: Of 529 participants, a total of 453 HCWs completed the survey (response rate: 85 6%);51 6% were males, 32 1% were aged 25-34 years, and most were doctors (30 2%) and medical students (29 6%) Regarding COVID-19, most of the participants used social media to obtain information (61%), and a significant proportion of HCWs had poor knowledge of its transmission (61%) and symptom onset (63 6%) and showed positive perceptions of COVID-19 Factors such as age and profession were associated with inadequate knowledge and poor perception of COVID-19 CONCLUSIONS: As the global threat of COVID-19 continues to emerge, it is critical to improve the knowledge and perceptions of HCWs Educational interventions are urgently needed to reach HCWs beyond borders, and further studies are warranted CLINICALTRIAL: INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT: RR2-10 1101/2020 03 09 20033381