Measuring front-liners’ perceived risks, benefits, practice, and misinformation on COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard on many countries around the world and the numbers of infected patients and deaths secondary to this condition are increasing every day. These numbers included the healthcare workers, who provide care to needy patients. The knowledge and experience of those workers about the virus and its characteristics are very important to maintain good practices and decrease the rate of cross-infection with the virus. Assessing elements influencing healthcare professionals’ safe practice, including perceived risks-benefits, knowledge, and practice about COVID-19 of 187 healthcare workers from different Jordanian hospitals currently providing care to patients infected with the virus. The online questionnaire addressed perceived risk benefits, knowledge, and practices, which were endorsed by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and are necessary for safe practice among healthcare front liners. All participants were providing care to patients with COVID-19 and were at work during the data collection. The whole recruitment and filling of the study survey were completed using online services, including emails and WhatsApp. Front liners have ambiguity regarding the nature of the virus. Limitations were found in the knowledge of healthcare workers in virulence and biological characteristics of the virus, the personal safety spacing, and how to prevent cross-infections. Skills and practices also reflect some deficits, which might influence safety practices. Front liners should be provided with the needed training and knowledge before caring for a patient with COVID-19. More efforts are needed to ensure meeting these objectives.