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Table 2 SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge items by occupational category

From: A health worker knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in South Africa

 

Cleaner (N = 40)

Clerk (N = 44)

Doctor (N = 42)

Nurse (N = 49)

Porter (N = 32)

Security (N = 42)

Other (N = 30*)

All (N = 286#)

Knowledge item correct responses n (%)

(Correct responses in parentheses)

COVID-19 is transmitted during close contact through respiratory droplets.

(Agree)

32 (80.0)

42 (95.5)

42 (100.0)

47 (95.9)

29 (90.6)

40 (95.2)

30 (100.0)

267 (93.4)

A person can become infected with COVID-19 by touching surfaces where COVID-19 droplets have landed and then touching their face. (Agree)

39 (97.5)

44 (100.0)

42 (100.0)

49 (100.0)

31 (96.9)

42 (100.0)

29 (96.7)

282 (98.6)

Droplet and contact precautions are required for confirmed cases of COVID-19 but not for suspected cases. (Disagree)

16 (40.0)

18 (40.9)

37 (88.1)

28 (57.1)

15 (46.9)

12 (28.6)

21 (70.0)

149 (52.1)

Airborne transmission of COVID-19 droplets is usually of distances of 3 m or more. (Disagree)

18 (45.0)

23 (52.3)

36 (85.7)

35 (71.4)

17 (53.1)

23 (54.8)

20 (66.7)

175 (61.2)

Hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rubs is always preferred over soap and water. (Disagree)

13 (32.5)

17 (38.6)

28 (66.7)

27 (55.1)

11 (34.4)

5 (11.9)

13 (43.3)

115 (40.2)

Boots, coveralls and aprons are required in the routine care of COVID-19 patients. (Disagree)

3 (7.5)

3 (6.8)

4 (9.5)

3 (6.1)

2 (6.3)

4 (9.5)

0 (0.0)

19 (6.6)

Medical masks should be used during the routine care of COVID-19 patients. (Agree)

28 (70.0)

38 (86.4)

33 (78.6)

39 (79.6)

26 (81.3)

37 (88.1)

25 (83.3)

232 (81.1)

N95 respirators should be used for procedures in COVID-19 patients that are aerosol-generating. (Agree)

31 (77.5)

29 (65.9)

40 (95.2)

44 (89.8)

30 (93.8)

34 (81.0)

22 (73.3)

235 (82.2)

Healthcare workers should use gloves during the routine care of COVID-19 patients. (Agree)

36 (90.0)

41 (93.1)

41 (97.6)

49 (100.0)

31 (96.9)

39 (92.9)

30 (100.0)

272 (95.1)

Patients with suspected COVID-19 infection should be given N95 respirators to prevent transmission to healthcare workers. (Disagree)

6 (15.0)

4 (9.1)

27 (64.3)

21 (42.9)

3 (9.4)

2 (4.8)

3 (10.0)

66 (23.1)

Summary statistics for 10 knowledge items

Mean (SD)

5.6 (1.5)

5.9 (1.1)

7.9 (1.2)

7.0 (1.4)

6.1 (1.5)

5.7 (1.2)

6.4 (1.3)

6.3 (1.6)

Median

5

6

8

7

6

6

7

6

Number (%) of participants with score ≥ 6

17 (42.5)

24 (54.6)

40 (95.2)

42 (85.7)

23 (71.9)

22 (52.4)

20 (66.7)

188 (67.4)

Number (%) of participants with score ≥ 8

4 (10.0)

4 (9.1)

27 (64.3)

18 (36.7)

5 (15.6)

2 (4.8)

8 (26.7)

69 (24.1)

  1. * includes 5 clinical associates #includes 7 health workers who did not provide their occupational category