Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary health care professionals in coping with COVID-19 in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed challenges to healthcare professionals, who needed to quickly adjust impacts on their work processes. Primary health care has become key to fighting the pandemic, as most mild cases seek primary care services as their point of first contact. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health professionals working in primary health care in Brazil early in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample. An online questionnaire was made available from May 1 through May 31, 2020. The sole criterion for inclusion was a response rate greater than 30 respondents per Brazilian state. Data were treated descriptively and statistically. RESULTS: Overall, 293 responses were obtained, and the states of Paraná (n = 86), Mato do Grosso do Sul (n = 50) and São Paulo (n = 48) were included in the study. There was a predominance of female respondents (89.1%). Physical therapy (31.6%) and nursing (12.4%) were the most represented occupations. Respondents generally reported moderate knowledge (54.3%) and preparedness (57.6%), with daily information seeking (63.5%) in handbooks and technical guidance publications (89.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between states for the variables knowledge (p = 0.28) and preparedness (p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: The participating states showed similar, positive results regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Previous experiences seem to generate cumulative knowledge; however, greater readiness in training professionals is needed in emergency situations.