Knowledge, perception and impact of COVID-19 on practice of doctors in an insurgency affected area

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception and impact of COVID-19 on doctors practising in an insurgency-afflicted Borno State, North-Eastern Nigeria.
Method: A cross-sectional study conducted using pretested Google forms questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. A multidimensional score with cut-off of ≥8 was used to rate doctors’ level of knowledge and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: One hundred and thirty-nine (139) doctors (mean ± SD age: 34.7 ± 6.1years, 96 (69.1%) males) completed the survey. Eighty-five (61.2%) were not aware of the origin of SARS-COV-2. Only 42 (30.2%) and 19 (13.7%) knew about the commonest mode of transmission and the earliest symptom of COVID-19, respectively. Few (23.7%) understood why children have milder disease. Only 44 (31.7%) doctors had a score of ≥8. Majority (133, 95.7%) observed standard measures to curb COVID-19 transmission in their practice. Only 38 (27.3%) had medical journals and other academic arenas as their predominant source of information. All attested that COVID-19 has profoundly affected their practice; 85% suspended academic activities. Majority (94.2%) perceived that COVID -19 would be worse in IDP camps and 54 (38.8%) believed that insurgency could limit COVID-19 patients from accessing care. Most (116, 83.4%) participant anticipated a change in their practice after the pandemic.
Conclusion: There is a dearth of information on COVID-19 among doctors practising in an insurgency affected area. The pandemic has significantly changed their medical practice now and will possibly affect their future views about modes of practice during a pandemic