COVID-19: knowledge, perception of risk, preparedness and vaccine acceptability among healthcare workers in Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: coronaviruses are highly contagious and healthcare workers are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, risk perception, preparedness for coronavirus disease 2019 and vaccine acceptability among healthcare workers in Kenya.

Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021. A link to an online self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to health workers across the country. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Bivariate correlation analyses were used to determine associations between variables. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: a total of 997 participants were enrolled in the study. About half (53%) of the participants were female. The mean age was 36.54 years (SD = 8.31) and 46% of the participants were aged between 31-40 years. The overall knowledge score of health workers for COVID-19 was 80%. Most of the health workers (89%) perceived that they were at high risk of infection. Seventy-two percent of the participants felt that they were either partially or fully prepared to handle patients with COVID-19. Overall, 71% of all health workers would take a vaccine if provided free by the government.

Conclusion: health workers´ knowledge on transmission, clinical manifestations and risk factors for development of severe COVID-19 was good. Majority of the health workers perceived the risk of infection with COVID-19 as high and a significant number felt that they were not fully prepared to handle the pandemic. Majority of health workers would take a COVID-19 vaccine.