The Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Iranian Medical and Non-Medical librarians towards COVID-19

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Iranian Medical and Non-Medical librarians towards COVID. This survey can collect information about what is recognized, believed, and done by a particular population. Methodology: The present study is a survey method that was conducted using the online questionnaire from October 1, 2020, to November 1, 2020. The statistical population of the study was the communities of non-medical Librarians of Iran with 523 people and medical Librarians with 250 people. Due to social distance measures (physical distance) and restrictions, data were collected by sending an online questionnaire on social networks. The questionnaire used in this research was the standard questionnaire of knowledge, attitudes and practice included demographic questions, knowledge, practice, and practice. Cronbach's alpha test was used to determine the reliability of the measuring instrument and structural validity was used to evaluate the validity of the measuring instrument. The validity (KMO>0/7) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha>0/7) of the questionnaire were confirmed. Results: the mean COVID-19 knowledge scores of non-medical Librarians and medical librarians are 13.28 and 15.4 respectively. This result shows medical librarians have good knowledge towards COVID-19. The mean COVID-19 attitude scores of non-medical Librarians and medical librarians are 10.52 and 11.72, which indicates that 97.6% of medical librarians have a proper attitude of COVID-19. The mean COVID-19 Practice scores of non-Medical Librarians and medical librarians are 19.33 and 21.66. It shows that 68.5% of medical librarians have a positive practice in preventing COVID-19 and taking preventive measures. Conclusions: there is a significant relationship between the educational group of respondents and their KAP towards COVID-19. Non-Medical Librarians should raise their level of knowledge and awareness as information consultants in the community. The high score of knowledge in medical librarians compared to non-medical librarians means that they are completely aware of Covid 19 disease and are fully aware of its clinical symptoms such as dry cough, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. This group of librarians knows who the high-risk individuals are for the Covid 19, how the virus can be transmitted more, and there is no effective cure for the disease right now. They have more information about pseudo-scientific information and do not resort to it to manage the disease. The views and attitudes of both groups on the subject of Covid 19 are not the same, and medical librarians have a more realistic and positive attitude than non-medical librarians. The group of medical librarians has a better Practice compared to the group of non-medical librarians in terms of preventive action and observing the issues raised.

Keywords

• librarians
• covid-19
• corona virus
• knowledge