Pages: (62-73 )
Abstract
The paper examined the knowledge, perception and practices of frontline health workers on the transmission
and prevention of COVID-19 among health workers in Ogun State isolation centers. It specifically focused
on the examination of the level of COVID-19 knowledge among frontline health workers to the public
towards the prevention of COVID-19 in Ogun State isolation centers and investigated the COVID-19
transmission prevention practices among frontline health workers. It also assessed the perception of frontline
health workers in Ogun State towards the transmission and prevention of COVID-19. It was a cross
sectional survey study conducted in Ogun State, Nigeria among frontline health care workers. Data were
collected from 96 health workers in three isolation centers in Ogun State. The findings of the study showed
that over half of the frontline health workers (55.7%) were between the ages of 21 and 30 and the facilities
had the same proportion of medical doctors (28.9%) and nurses (28.9%). It is noteworthy that the age of
health care workers was significantly associated with the knowledge level about COVID-19. The paper
concluded that the level of knowledge of the health workers and observations showed that the practice and
perception were high. There were statistical links between the age of the workers and their knowledge
regarding COVID-19 prevention and transmission from spreading to the society. The study recommended
that the protection of frontline health workers should be prioritized through the provision of personal protection
equipment (PPE) to reduce the burden of infections on the health system and also control the shortage of
manpower in the health sector. Hence, training, comprehensive education and incentives should be made
available for frontline health workers to provide more psychological support for them to perform effectively
within the health system.
Keywords: COVID-19, Global health challenge, Frontline health workers, Health policy, Ogun State, Nigeria.,