JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Globally there is growing need for public health professionals skilled in preventing and responding to the surge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. This is particularly important to the Eastern Mediterranean countries that are facing emergencies in addition to the increased public health risks of unprecedented scale during COVID-19 pandemic. Public health professionals are instrumental in responding to COVID-19 pandemic in terms of detecting and monitoring new cases, conduct investigations, trace contacts, ensure patients are being tested, apply isolation and quarantine protocols, provide up-to date information, educate community, and produce statistics and models to track disease progression.

Objective:

This study aimed to compare knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding COVID-19 between public health workers (PHWs) attended Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP-trained) and those who did not attend FETP (non-FETP trained).

Methods:

Multi-country cross-sectional survey was conducted among PHWs who participated in COVID-19 pandemic in ten countries at EMR. Online questionnaire that included demographic information, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 pandemic was distributed among HCWs. Scoring system was used to quantify the answers, bivariate and Multivariate analysis performed to compare FETP-trained with non-FETP trained PHWs.

Results:

Overall, 1,337 PHWs participated, with 835(62.4%) <40 years of age, and 851(63.6%) males. Of them, 423(31.6%) had FETP, including 189(44.7%) had advanced level, 155(36.6%) intermediate and 79(18.7%) basic level training. Compared to non-FETP trained, FETP trained were older, having higher knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. FETP participation was low in infection control, and PH laboratories. KAP mean scores for intermediate level attendees are comparable to advanced level.

Conclusions:

FETP-trained are having better KAP than non-FETP PHWs. Expanding the intermediate level, maintain the Rapid Response training, and introduce the laboratory component are recommended to maximize the benefit from FETP. Infection control, antimicrobial resistance and coordination are areas where training should include.