Healthcare professionals' knowledge, perception and practice towards COVID-19: A cross-sectional web-survey

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are increasingly facing suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19. To evaluate Iraqi HCPs (physicians, dentists and pharmacists) knowledge, perception and practice towards COVID-19.

This was a cross-sectional, anonymised web-survey, using an electronic application (Surveyheart®). The web-survey link was posted via the closed groups of physicians, dentists and pharmacists in Iraq on Facebook and Twitter. The questionnaire was self-administered and data was collected between, 10th-25th of March 2020.

Three hundred seventy two HCPs participated in the study. The majority of Iraqi HCPs have a good knowledge about the origin, incubation period, the mode of transmission, the common signs and symptoms and the groups of patients who were at higher risk of COVID-19. HCPs identified internet, social media as the main source of information about the disease. The lowest rate of correct answers was found in items related to the virus which is responsible for the development of COVID-19 disease (44.6%) and the types of face mask that protect against COVID-19 (40.6%). Physicians were found to have higher score of knowledge compared to dentists and pharmacists. Iraqi HCPs requested more strict preventive measure to be applied to prevent the spread of the disease. Iraqi HCPs expressed their inclination to use the international guidelines to treat confirmed cases.

Iraqi HCPs have an overall good knowledge towards COVID-19. More information should be published from reputable and authentic sources to HCPs. The Ministry of Health in Iraq could take its responsibility to inform the health providers with updated and confirmed information about COVID-19 prevention and management.