https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0517-8476
![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Background
Face masks were considered as an effective method of preventing respiratory infections like coronavirus infection. Identifying knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers regarding face mask utilization is very important to identify gaps and intervene immediately to control the spread of the infection. Hence, the main aim of this study was to determine the health worker’s knowledge, attitude, and practice of proper face mask utilization and associated factors at police health faculties in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020.
Methods
Across-sectional, quantitative approach study was conducted from June to July 2020. The study covered 408 health professionals of all categories working in the different police health facilities found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the study period. Data were collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire adopted from different studies after getting consent from the study participants. After the data were collected, it was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23 computer software. A logistic regression model was used to measure the association between the predictor and outcome variables. Statistical significance was declared at p-value<0.05. Direction and strength of association were expressed using OR and 95% CI.
Results
The study showed that the overall knowledge, attitude, and practice of the healthcare provider towards proper face mask utilization were 98 (33.5%), 185 (45.3%), and 272 (33.3%) respectively. Factors associated with proper utilization of face mask were educational status (AOR = 10.4, 95% CI: 2.51, 43.32), police rank (AOR=0.2. CI: 0.05, 0.41), profession (AOR = 7.7, 95% CI: 2.63, 22.65), and knowledge about face mask use (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.023).
Conclusion
In this study, the level of knowledge and attitude towards face mask utilization was relatively low, and the level of proper face mask utilization was quite low in comparison with some studies. Comprehensive training about a face mask that focuses on its proper use should be designed and given by the authorities to healthcare workers who are on the front-line in the fight against COVID-19.
Permission for Publication
Consent to publish is not applicable for this manuscript because there are no individual data details like images or videos.
Accessibility of Data and Materials
The result of this research was extracted from the data gathered and analyzed based on the stated methods and materials. There are no supplementary files. The original data supporting this finding will be accessible at any time upon request.
Acknowledgments
Our heartfelt thanks go to Police University College for funding the study. The researchers also wish to express their gratitude to the study subjects and to all those who lent their hands for the successful completion of this research.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors affirm that there is no conflict of interest concerning the publication of this manuscript. The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.