Author/Authors :
Chawe, Adon Laboratory Department - St. Francis Mission Hospital - Katete, Zambia , Mfune, Ruth L. Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - Michael Chilufya School of Medicine - Copperbelt University - Ndola, Zambia , Syapiila, Paul M. Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - Michael Chilufya School of Medicine - Copperbelt University - Ndola, Zambia , Mwape, Kapambwe Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - Michael Chilufya School of Medicine - Copperbelt University - Ndola, Zambia , Daka, Victor Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - Michael Chilufya School of Medicine - Copperbelt University - Ndola, Zambia , Chirambo- Kalolekesha, Memory Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - Michael Chilufya School of Medicine - Copperbelt University - Ndola, Zambia , Zimba, Sharon D. Department of Clinical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - Chikankata College of Biomedical Sciences - Chikankata, Zambia , Vlahakis, Pipina A. Department of Basic Science - Faculty of Medicine - Michael Chilufya School of Medicine - Copperbelt University - Ndola, Zambia , Mwale, Samson Department of Biomedical Sciences - Tropical Diseases Research Centre - Ndola, Zambia , Chileshe, Misheck Laboratory Department - Mary Begg Health Services - Ndola, Zambia , Mutale, Joseph Laboratory Department - Kabompo District Hospital - Kabompo, Zambia , Mudenda, Tobela Department of Pathology - Ndola Teaching Hospital - Ndola, Zambia , Manda, Grace Laboratory Department - Kalomo District Hospital - Kalomo, Zambia
Abstract :
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel disease that has spread to nearly every country worldwide. Medical laboratory professionals are key in the fight against COVID-19 as they provide confirmatory diagnosis for subsequent management and mitigation of the disease.
Objective
This study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practices of COVID-19 and their predictors among medical laboratory personnel in Zambia.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study among medical laboratory professionals in Zambia from 10 to 29 June 2020. Data were collected using Google Forms and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for statistical analysis. Independent predictors of COVID-19 knowledge and practices were determined. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.
Results
A total of 208 medical laboratory professionals, 58.2% male, participated in the study. The majority of respondents had good knowledge (84.1%) and practice (75.0%) regarding COVID-19. Predictors of good knowledge included having a bachelor’s degree (AOR: 5.0, CI: 1.13–22.19) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 8.83, CI: 2.03–38.44). Predictors of good practice included having a master’s or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification (AOR: 5.23, CI: 1.15–23.87) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 14.01, CI: 6.47–30.36).
Conclusion
Our findings revealed that medical laboratory professionals in Zambia have good knowledge regarding COVID-19. There is need for continuous professional development to ensure that medical laboratory professionals are well informed and aware of best practices to aid in curbing the pandemic.
Keywords :
practices , COVID-19 , medical laboratory professional , knowledge , attitude
