Knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers in Rwanda

The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers in Rwanda. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted with 177 healthcare workers at the frontline for the current outbreak. Half of the respondents were aged between 31-40 and majority were males, mostly physicians, and working more in urban rather than rural settings. Almost all respondents were able to correctly identify COVID-19 key symptoms, and 89% were aware of factors likely to be associated with increased fatality rates. Considerable proportions of respondents understood dynamics of COVID-19 infectiousness: 87% respondents were aware of possibility of infection before the onset of symptoms; 99% completers responded yes on droplets and fomites as a major transmission route. All respondents- 100% understood and agreed on the necessity of self-isolation and quarantine as COVID-19 control measures, and about 95% reported to be mainly adopting hand washing, social distancing, limiting unnecessary travels and crowds as well as using facial masks and gloves. All survey respondents were well informed about COVID-19 and its prevention, in a relative way, and it seems to influence their attitudes and practices regarding the prevention of the outbreak.