Knowledge, awareness and practice of preventive measures regarding ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 among doctors in a tertiary care hospital of West Bengal

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency. Even after second wave, it has no effective cure till now. The Doctors are at risk to be exposed to not only virus but also they are experiencing many physical and mental stresses after successive two waves. Aim and Objectives: To assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of preventive measures taken to combat COVID-19 among doctors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, non-interventional, descriptive hospital based study was carried out in Purulia Government Medical College and Hospital, Purulia from September 2020 to July2021. All doctors were involved in this study. A preformed semi-structured questionnaire was used as study tool. Results: There were total of 181 doctors, among which, 176 gave consent to include in the study. 81.25% of doctors prefer to use both liquid soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 45.45% were using N95 mask and a triple-layered mask over it with a face shield during duty. 47.16% doctors experienced various difficulties, where 40 doctors experienced no difficulty. About 83.52% of doctors informed about techniques of donning and doffing of personal protective equipment from various sources. 9 doctors suffered from COVID-19 during the first wave, while 17 doctors suffered from the same during the second wave among them one died. 97.72% have received vaccine among them 94.77% have received Covishield. The use of chemoprophylaxis has decreased in the second wave in comparison to the first. Conclusion: It was found there were considerable knowledge, awareness, and practice regarding preventive measures among the doctors. Further training will definitely help doctors to provide extra care for the prevention of COVID-19.