Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan.
School of Optometry and Vision Science University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
J Med Virol. 2020 Jul;92(7):824-832. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25814. Epub 2020 Apr 10.
COVID-19 is a pandemic that began in China in December 2019. World health organization (WHO) has expressed fears that Pakistan might emerge as the next epicenter of this pandemic. We hypothesize that at present the Pakistani masses are not prepared to face any threat of a looming epidemic. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the basic knowledge of educational and health care workers (HCWs) regarding COVID-19, its control, and prevention. Knowledge about origin, symptoms, and spread of viral infection was assessed. In this cross-sectional survey, a self-designed questionnaire was distributed among 302 HCWs including physicians (10.9%), nurses (1.32%), lab staff (1.65%), and academic individuals including faculty and students (86.42%) of different organizations. Results were analyzed using the χ test. Obtained results validate our null hypothesis that Pakistani masses are not well aware of the COVID-19 and strategies for the prevention and control of infection. The study concluded that individuals belonging to the front-line workers and high literacy groups are not prepared for the alarming situation in the country. Effectual implementation of infection control programs should be practiced, and it depends on awareness, training, and cooperation of individuals.
COVID-19 是一种始于 2019 年 12 月中国的大流行病。世界卫生组织（WHO）担心巴基斯坦可能成为这一大流行病的下一个中心。我们假设，目前巴基斯坦民众还没有准备好应对即将到来的传染病威胁。本研究的主要目的是评估教育和医疗保健工作者（HCWs）对 COVID-19、其控制和预防的基本知识。评估了对病毒感染的起源、症状和传播的了解。在这项横断面调查中，我们向 302 名 HCWs 分发了一份自我设计的问卷，包括医生（10.9%）、护士（1.32%）、实验室工作人员（1.65%）和不同组织的教职员工和学生（86.42%）。使用 χ 检验分析结果。结果验证了我们的零假设，即巴基斯坦民众对 COVID-19 及其感染防控策略的认识不足。研究得出结论，属于一线工作人员和高文化程度群体的个人尚未为该国的紧急情况做好准备。应有效实施感染控制计划，这取决于个人的意识、培训和合作。
