Pakistan Journal of Medical Research (May 2024)
Attitude and Response of Health Professionals Towards Escalating COVID-19 Mortality Rates in Peshawar City
Abstract
Background: In coronavirus pandemic, misconception, distrust, uncertainty, and fear have emerged within the general public. Amidst this environment, health professionals were the primary bearers of accurate information regarding the causes of death, the severity of infections, and the intensity of disease transmission. Objective: To assess the attitude and responses of health professionals working in tertiary care hospitals of city Peshawar during pandemic regarding corona infection and related deaths. Study type,settings & duration:This descriptive cross sectional studywas conducted at tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, from March to May2020. Methodology:The sample size of 126 health professionalswere takenat the peak of pandemic in Pakistan. A predesigned online questionnaire was shared with individual health professional after taking telephonic consent. Each health professional filled the online questionnaire and resubmitted. The data was collected, analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results:A total 126 health professionals participated in the study, 61 (48.4%) were doctors, 58 (46%) nurses and 7 (5.6%) were allied health professionals. Total46 (54.1%) health professionals agreed, that old age with comorbidities, stigma and late approach to health facilities, comorbidities and spread asymptomatic cases were associated with increased mortality of COVID patients in city Peshawar. About 54 (42.9%) health professionals agreed with the existence of false perception of public that corona do not exist, and 13 (10.3%) disclosed about lack of proper facilities and ignorance in provision of care in Hospitals. Conclusion:Health professionals were in agreement that comorbidities, older age, late approaching to Hospital, stigma, false perception and lack of health facilities were the factors behind the increased corona infected deaths in Peshawar.
