Previously submitted to: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (no longer under consideration since May 20, 2020)
Date Submitted: May 19, 2020
Open Peer Review Period: May 19, 2020 - May 20, 2020
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Knowledge and Awareness-based Survey of COVID-19 in the Eye Care Profession, Facts Sealed Myths.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Analysis of knowledge and awareness in the eye care profession is highly essential amid COVID-19 pandemic, myths have no place in medical research.
Objective:
To estimate the effect of myth in knowledge and awareness of eye care.
Methods:
A qualitative survey, designed by a focused group of researchers, to access the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 in eye care practitioners. Questions were prepared and sent through an online link. Altogether, 25 questions (both open and closed-ended) were employed in the survey. The overall responses were coded with percentage calculation, and mythological facts were overruled if they persisted with appropriate justification.
Results:
Of the total delivered links, 51% (n=310) participated in the survey. Only 46% of the total participants were aware that COVID-19 is a disease and SARS-CoV-2 as the causative agent. The symptoms of COVID-19 were known to 94%, whereas only 54% were aware that everyone can get infected by SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, 49% of the participants had an idea about the mode of transmission of the disease and only 5% of the participants did not know the abbreviation of PPE. About 17% had no idea regarding RDT and 56% responded to RT-PCR as a confirmatory test for SARS-CoV-2. Almost 98% of participants recognized the WHO’s awareness message, but surprisingly 41% participants responded to another question felt that consumption of hot drinks kills the virus (is WHO’s awareness). Social distancing was key to restricting the disease spread; at the same time, about 41% had disagreement regarding PPE usage by eye care practitioners.
Conclusions:
Eye care professionals seemed to be little behind the expected knowledge and awareness of COVID-19. One is recommended to follow the World Health Organization and National (Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal) guidelines for clinical practice and not to believe in baseless myths devoid of evidence.
Citation
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