Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Factors associated with knowledge of health care workers toward COVID‑19 in health facilities West Guji zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2020

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Zelalem Jabessa Wayessa 1
. Wako Golicha Wako 2

1 Department of Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

2 Department of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus pandemic puts healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk and challenges 
the abilities of healthcare systems to respond to the crisis. This study aimed to assess the level of 
knowledge of HCWs and associated factors in West Guji zone public health facilities in southern 
Ethiopia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A health facility‑based quantitative cross‑sectional study was 
undertaken from June 10 to July 10, 2020. Two hundred and eighty‑three HCWs were involved in 
the study using a systematic sampling method. The instrument was pretested on 5% of the sample 
in Yabello Hospital. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: The HCW who had good knowledge was 84.7%. HCWs who had degree holders, 
masters and above holders, work experience of 2–4 years, and >4 years of experiences, had 
training on Coronavirus, and medical diseases were significantly associated with good knowledge 
of Coronavirus.
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that HCWs’ knowledge about the Coronavirus was good. 
Improving the educational status of HCWs and giving updated training on the Coronavirus will improve 
HCW’s knowledge of the Coronavirus.

Keywords

COVID‑19
Ethiopia
health personnel/classification
knowledge
protective factors
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 12, Issue 2
Winter 2022
Pages 1-11

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