Attitudes and Behaviors of Health Care Professionals Towards Preventive Measures Against COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of this study is that healthcare professionals play the most significant role in tackling pandemic COVID-19 and are considered as the most vulnerable and at-risk population for infection. An effective response to a pandemic depends on the attitudes and behaviors of physicians, nursing, staff, lab technicians, and other support staff.  The study was conducted to explore the attitudes and behaviors of health care professionals towards preventive measures against COVID-19. The study was designed following the positivistic research paradigm hence cross-sectional survey research was selected as the most appropriate design. For the purpose of data collection, a self-administered structured questionnaire was developed and used. The survey was conducted during the month of March 2020 in Punjab through an online data collection method from 150 health care professionals working in various public sector hospitals in Punjab. The questionnaire was uploaded on the survey monkey website and shared on various social media platforms to collect data in order to get responses. Results show that self-reported anxiety level is high among physicians and nurses as compared to technical and support staff.  Data shows that there are significant differences in attitudes and behaviors towards preventive measures against pandemic COVID-19 between physicians and nurses especially about the adoption of various techniques for improving immunity.  It was also found that there are significant attitudinal and behavioral differences according to sex, region of residence, and marital status of health care professionals.