Cross-sectional Descriptive Study: Egyptian Doctors Stresses, Knowledge and Attitude During COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious respiratory disease caused by a newly discovered corona virus in December 2019, has been recognized as a serious threat to global health. Since the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic in early March 2020, the WHO and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been considered the most reliable sources of information for the COVID-19 global pandemic. The CDC listed moderate to severe asthma, especially if not well controlled, as high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

A large number of cases occurred among health care workers (HCW), which were contracted within the health care facilities. Some of the HCWs even died from the COVID-19 disease. Moreover, it was reported that unrecognized, asymptomatic patients transferred to their family or close contacts. All these factors were alarming and potentially distressing for the hospital staff who worked during the pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003 also involved disease transmission to HCWs. Even though the fatality rates for SARS were lower than for COVID-19 infection, nonetheless, they were a cause of significant stress, emotional turmoil, and concern for all the SARS healthcare providers.

The emotions, perceived stressors, complete knowledge assessment and coping strategies of HCWs especially doctors during COVID-19 have not been explored. These issues were the intended focus of the study.