Browsing by Author "Milliano, Ferdinand"

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional survey from Kiambu County, Kenya
    (Plos One, 2024-03-12) Odongo, Alfred Owino; Milliano, Ferdinand; Ndiritu, Moses; Juttla , Prabhjot Kaur; Mwancha-Kwasa, Magoma
    The knowledge possessed by healthcare workers (HCWs), along with their attitudes and practices play a vital role in effectively managing a pandemic. This is crucial considering that HCWs are exposed to great risk at the forefront of such crises. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kiambu county, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was conducted from 11th March 2021 to 12th August 2021. Bloom’s cutoff points were used to determine KAP scores (>80%: good, 60–79%: medium and <60% poor). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted, calculating adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval. Spearman’s rank correlations were used to examine the relationship between KAP scores. Results 438 HCWs participated in the study, majority of whom were female (64.5%), had obtained a diploma (59.6%) and were informed through government websites (78.6%). 43.0% had good knowledge, 17.5% good attitudes, and 68.4% good practice. 23.0% had medium knowledge, 35.6% medium attitude, 15.7% medium practice, while 34.0% had poor knowledge, 46.9% poor attitude and 15.9% poor practice. Only 68.9% of the caregivers correctly recognized the county’s COVID-19 isolation centre and only 7.9% chose the two correct documents for the entry of data for a suspected COVID-19 case. Furthermore, the general attitude towards their own personal safety and their training regarding PPEs (17.8% and 23.8% strongly agreed with the contrary) were less compelling. There was a significant positive association between obtaining information from international government sites [AOR: 1.382 (1.058–1.807); p = 0.0178)] and good knowledge. Referring to local government sites for information regarding COVID-19 produced better attitudes [AOR: 1.710 (1.194–2.465); p = 0.0036] and produced almost twice the odds of having better practice [AOR: 1.800 (1.181–2.681); p = 0.0048]. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice (r = -0.330, p = 2.766×10−11), and knowledge and attitude (r = -0.154, p = 6.538×10−3).
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional survey from Kiambu County, Kenya
    (PLOS ONE, 2024-03-12) Juttla, Prabhjot Kaur; Ndiritu, Moses; Milliano, Ferdinand; Odongo, Alfred Owino; Kwasa, Magoma Mwancha
    Background The knowledge possessed by healthcare workers (HCWs), along with their attitudes and practices play a vital role in effectively managing a pandemic. This is crucial considering that HCWs are exposed to great risk at the forefront of such crises. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kiambu county, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was conducted from 11th March 2021 to 12th August 2021. Bloom’s cutoff points were used to determine KAP scores (>80%: good, 60–79%: medium and <60% poor). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted, calculating adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval. Spearman’s rank correlations were used to examine the relationship between KAP scores. Results 438 HCWs participated in the study, majority of whom were female (64.5%), had obtained a diploma (59.6%) and were informed through government websites (78.6%). 43.0% had good knowledge, 17.5% good attitudes, and 68.4% good practice. 23.0% had medium knowledge, 35.6% medium attitude, 15.7% medium practice, while 34.0% had poor knowledge, 46.9% poor attitude and 15.9% poor practice. Only 68.9% of the caregivers correctly recognized the county’s COVID-19 isolation centre and only 7.9% chose the two correct documents for the entry of data for a suspected COVID-19 case. Furthermore, the general attitude towards their own personal safety and their training regarding PPEs (17.8% and 23.8% strongly agreed with the contrary) were less compelling. There was a significant positive association between obtaining information from international government sites [AOR: 1.382 (1.058–1.807); p = 0.0178)] and good knowledge. Referring to local government sites for information regarding COVID-19 produced better attitudes [AOR: 1.710 (1.194–2.465); p = 0.0036] and produced almost twice the odds of having better practice [AOR: 1.800 (1.181–2.681); p = 0.0048]. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice (r = -0.330, p = 2.766×10−11), and knowledge and attitude (r = -0.154, p = 6.538×10−3). Conclusion This study emphasizes the substantial impact that governing bodies have on shaping favorable KAP. As a result, it’s crucial for local government platforms to prioritize the dissemination of up-to-date information that aligns with international standards. This information should be tailored to the specific region, focusing on addressing deficiencies in healthcare practices and patient management. The identification of a significant number of HCWs lacking confidence in managing COVID-19 patients and feeling unprotected underscores a clear need for improvement in their understanding and implementation of preventive measures. This gap can be bridged by adequately equipping HCWs with locally manufactured PPEs. This aspect is crucial for pandemic preparedness, and we further advocate for the creation of a locally produced repository of medical equipment. These actions are pivotal in improving future crisis management capabilities.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response
    (Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2023-11-01) Juttla, Prabhjot Kaur; Wamaitha, Nicole; Milliano, Ferdinand; Nyawira, Janefer; Mungai, Samuel; Kwasa, Magoma Mwancha-
    Background: During the coronavirus-19 pandemic (COVID-19), governments tailored various containment measures and the perspectives of health care workers (HCWs) directly affected by these policies are therefore indispensable. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of both the National and Kiambu County governments’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of HCWs. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire with 438 HCWs in Kiambu County, Kenya, from March 11 to August 12, 2021. Qualitative inductive and deductive data analyses was used in this research. Results: The majority of respondents were females (n = 276, 64.5%), middle aged (n = 170, 38.8%) and were caregivers (n = 322, 73.5%). Nine themes emerged: i) Adequate government response; ii) Laxity in public compliance; iii) Lack of healthcare resources; iv) Aggressive initial policy; v) A misinformed public; vi) Slow and inadequate response; vii) Optimism; viii) Decayed adherence to protocols; and ix) Breakdown of systems. Conclusion: Although HCWs had a variety of viewpoints, both county and national governments received similar feedback. Most HCWs lauded the governments’ early and sufficient actions as well as their confidence over the pandemic’s future. However, there is still room for development. Concerning factors cited by HCWs included public apathy, false information, a lack of resources, a delayed first response, and systemic failure. HCWs should be included in government processes, such as healthcare budget allocation and guaranteeing prompt payment, to build trust in public institutions and prepare for future health crises. In addition, moderating social media, revising policies, and advancing public understanding are all necessary for combating public misinformation going forward. By putting these suggestions into practice, we can allay the grievances of HCWs and reduce in- equities in response to health emergencies not just in Kenya, but similar low-to-middle income countries.