Knowledge of Health Care Staffs Regarding Management of Second Waves of Covid-19 at Public Health Facilities at Barona Zone, Southern Ethiopia. 2021. A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background

During the 2020 pandemic, several countries have seen a two-wave trend of confirmed cases of corona virus disease-19, with the first wave occurring in the spring and the latest second wave occurring in the late summer and autumn. The characteristics of the virus's effects differ between the two periods, according to empirical data. There have been studies of variations in age group and disease severity, while the similarities and differences between the two waves are still largely unknown. These characteristics are compared in this analysis using data from two 3-and-a-half-month periods. The first, from 15 March to 30 December, corresponds to the entire first wave, and the second, from 1 April to 30 May, corresponds to a portion of the second wave, which was still present at the time of writing. During the first period, Patients in the second wave were younger, with a longer hospital stay and a higher case fatality rate than those in the first. There were more infants, pregnant mothers, and young adults in the second wave. Fever, dyspnea, pneumonia, and cough were the most common signs and symptoms in waves, and cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic neurological diseases were the most common co morbidities. These findings can aid in understanding the second wave's characteristics, as well as the behavior and danger of SARS-CoV-2 in Ethiopia.

Objectives                   

To assess the knowledge of management of second wave of Corona Virus (COVID - 19) among Health care Workers at public health facilities at Barona zone, 2021.

Methods

From March 15 to April 15, 2021, an institutional-based cross-sectional analysis was performed. Public health facilities in the Barona zone were included. The most experienced front-runners were selected in proportion from their departments. Data from a self-administered questionnaire was entered into Epi Data, which was then analyzed using SPSS software. There is a discussion of descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as bivariable and multivariable regression analysis.

Results

421 health care staffs involved in the study. The majority (253, 60.1%) of the health care staffs were female. Of the total, 132 (31.4%) subjects were nurses, followed by midwife (105, 24.9%), doctors (106, 25.2%), medical laboratory (27, 6.4%) and pharmacists (51, 12.1%). Of these, education of the health care staffs, majority (240, 57.0%) of the degree, diploma (168,39.9%) and master and above(13,3.1%).health care workers working in hospital(240,57.0%),health centre(168,39.9%)and health post(13,3.1%). 405(96.2%) of the staffs had good knowledge regarding management of second wave of covid19. 16(3.8%) of the health care staffs had poor knowledge regarding management of second wave of covid19. There is association between age, gender, education and work experience with knowledge on health care staff management towards second wave of COVID-19 and there is no association is found between marital status, occupation, and hospital type are all variables to consider. There is a link between age, gender, , education and work experience, but no link exists between profession and marital status, hospital form.

Conclusion:

The current study found that health-care workers in Ethiopia's Barona zone had previously recognized a significant idea but lacked a good understanding of the second wave COVID-19 pandemic's. Younger age groups, staff nurses, and female staffs all had requirements. Fifty percent of participants said they were unaware of their hospitals, indicating the need for greater universal solidarity.