Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Awareness on Prevention of Spread of Infective Respiratory Secretions among Resident Doctors
Published: April 1, 2023 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2023/62168.17900
Narayanan Preethi, Sridevi A Naaraayan, Krishnaswamy Devimeenakshi
1. Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
2. Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
3. Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Sridevi A Naaraayan,
16A, Landons Towers, 32, Landons Road, Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: sridevianaaraayan@gmail.com
Introduction: Respiratory infections including Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection spread through droplet infections. Hence standard precautionary measures like handwashing and use of masks are essential to prevent transmission of these infections in healthcare setting.
Aim: To determine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on awareness level of resident doctors on prevention of spread of infective respiratory secretions.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among two subsequent batches (year 2019-20 and 2020-21) of resident doctors at a medical college hospital, from February 2020 to September 2020. The 2019-2020 batch of resident doctors worked as residents from March 2019 to March 2020 and were considered as pre COVID-19 batch. The 2020-2021 batch of resident doctors had their training period from April 2020 to April 2021 and were considered the COVID-19 batch. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 14 questions to evaluate the awareness on prevention of spread of infective respiratory secretions was administered. The responses were evaluated, marks awarded and summated.
Results: There were 121 respondents in the pre COVID-19 batch making the response rate 85%. There were 112 respondents in the COVID19 batch, with a response rate of 86%. The mean (standard deviation) score obtained by the COVID-19 batch was 9.91±3.42 which was significant higher than that obtained by the pre COVID-19 batch which was 7.1±1.83. The score obtained by COVID-19 batch for 11/14 questions was significantly higher compared to the pre COVID-19 batch.
Conclusion: A significant improvement was seen in the knowledge level in prevention of spread of infective respiratory secretions among resident doctors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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