COVID-19 AND ATTITUDES OF GROUND-LEVEL PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF IN SRI LANKA

Introduction: Health care workers (HCW) face considerable mental and physical stress caring for patients with Covid-19. Their attitudes towards COVID-19 are important both in the prevention as well treatment of the disease.

Aims: To assess the attitudes toward coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among community healthcare workers at Regional Director of Health Services area Galle district, Sri Lanka. 

Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out between August 2020 and January 2021 at the Regional Director of Health Services area Galle district, Sri Lanka. 

Methods and Material: All community healthcare workers who were directly involved in COVID-19 in Galle district, Sri Lanka were recruited for the study, and the data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done to describe the demographic factors and attitudes Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between the level of attitude and demographic factors.

Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test.

Results: Of the community health workers 71%(n=84) had a positive attitude indicating a good attitude regarding the COVID-19 prevention strategies. Nearly 91%(n=107) of the population agreed to vaccination against COVID-19. There was no statistically significant association between attitude on COVID-19 with sex, age, marital status, educational level, service period, and category of occupation.

Conclusions: A majority of healthcare workers had positive attitudes toward COVID-19. Additional awareness and continuous knowledge updates are required for healthcare workers to sustain positive attitudes during the pandemic.