A comparative study about knowledge, perceptions and practices between healthcare workers and patients with covid-19 infection admitted in a tertiary care hospital,regarding the use of mask to prevent COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND: COVID-19,a respiratory illness caused by coronavirus. The virus primarily spreads between people through Respiratory droplets.The primary precautionary measures for infection prevention include:Hand & face hygiene.We are conducting a study to know the knowledge, perceptions and practices of medical professionals (Faculties, Residents Doctors of Clinical and Non-clinical specialties) regarding the use of masks to prevent COVID-19 infection AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the knowledge, perceptions and practices between healthcare workers and patients with covid-19 infection,regarding the use of mask to prevent COVID-19 infection METHODS: Study was conducted from march-june,2021.The study covered 174 health professionals(Faculties and resident doctors of Clinical and non-clinical specialties) and 203 patients with Covid-19 infection,working and admitted respectively at ELMCH,Lucknow.Data was collected using a pre-tested self-administered and designed questionnaire adopted from different studies after getting consent from the study participants. RESULTS: Majority of the HCWs were PG residents(80.2%) and from clinical branches.The doctors from psychiatry had the best knowledge followed by radiology.In PERCEPTION,majority subjects chose N95 as the most effective mask and face shield as an ideal adjunct to it.In PRACTICES,majority of subjects chose to use N95 mask in both hospital and home settings and would sometimes use an adjunct CONCLUSION: Despite good knowledge the govt. and society as a whole need to improve the sensitisation of the population on how to use masks and other precautionary measures to prevent covid-19