Assessment of Awareness of Infection Prevention Against Covid19 Among Staffs of Two Selected Public Hospitals In Somali Region Eastern Ethiopia.

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Amin Ugas Mahad, Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim, Abdiwase Mahamoud Aden, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8725156/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has placed healthcare workers (HCWs) and administrative staff at increased risk of infection, making awareness of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures essential. Assessing awareness levels among healthcare personnel is critical for strengthening preparedness and response in healthcare settings. Objective: To assess the level of awareness and associated factors of COVID-19 infection prevention among healthcare workers and administrative staff in selected public hospitals of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 healthcare workers and administrative staff from Dhagahbur and Kebridahar General Hospitals. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed, and awareness levels were summarized using median scores. The Modified Bloom’s cut-off point was applied to categorize awareness levels. Results: Of the 200 participants, 120 (60.0%) were male and 80 (40.0%) were female. The overall awareness of COVID-19 infection prevention was moderate, with an overall median correct response rate of 60%. Higher awareness was observed among clinical nurse level IV staff (66.1%) and medical doctors (64.0%), while non-clinical/administrative staff (49.3%) demonstrated the lowest awareness. Female participants showed slightly higher median awareness than males. Although most respondents correctly identified hand hygiene moments and appropriate PPE use, notable gaps were observed in identifying the causative agent, defining close contact, appropriate isolation procedures, and preferred hand hygiene methods for visibly soiled hands. Conclusion: Healthcare workers and administrative staff demonstrated a moderate level of awareness regarding COVID-19 infection prevention. Targeted and continuous IPC training particularly for non-clinical staff is recommended to address identified gaps and strengthen infection prevention practices. COVID-19 Infection prevention Awareness Healthcare workers Somali Region BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide due to its high transmissibility and lack of population immunity.( 1 ) SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Betacoronavirus genus of the Coronaviridae family.( 2 ) Clinically, COVID-19 commonly presents with fever, fatigue, dry cough, and sore throat, while severe cases may progress to hypoxemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multi-organ failure.( 3 ) The virus is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact, with possible fecal-oral transmission, and has an incubation period ranging from 2 to 14 days.( 4 ) Globally, COVID-19 has resulted in millions of infections and substantial mortality, placing unprecedented pressure on health systems. Low- and middle-income countries, including those in East Africa, face additional challenges due to limited resources, weak health infrastructure, and shortages of personal protective equipment. In Ethiopia and neighboring countries, increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases have been reported among healthcare workers.( 5 ) Healthcare workers are at the frontline of COVID-19 prevention and response and are at heightened risk of infection because of their close and prolonged contact with patients. ( 6 ) To reduce this risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines and training programs aimed at improving awareness and safe practices among HCWs.( 7 ) Nevertheless, evidence indicates that inadequate awareness and poor adherence to IPC measures among healthcare staff can contribute to healthcare-associated transmission and compromise patient and worker safety. ( 8 ) Although several studies have assessed awareness of COVID-19 prevention among healthcare workers in high-income settings, evidence from pastoral and resource-limited regions such as the Somali Region of Eastern Ethiopia remains scarce. At the time of this study, no specific antiviral treatment or universally available vaccine was recommended, making effective infection prevention measures the primary strategy for controlling COVID-19 transmission.( 9 ) Given the high occupational risk faced by healthcare workers and the limited local evidence, assessing awareness of infection prevention measures is critical for strengthening pandemic preparedness and response. Therefore, this study aimed to assess awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 among staff of two selected public hospitals in the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, in 2020. METHOD AND MATERIAL Study area The study was conducted in the Somali Regional State , located in eastern Ethiopia. The region is the second largest in the country and borders Afar and Oromia regions and Dire Dawa city administration to the west, Djibouti to the north, Somalia to the north, northeast and east, and Kenya to the southwest. Jijiga is the capital city of the region. According to the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia, the Somali Region had a population of 4,445,219, of whom 14.0% lived in urban areas and approximately 38.0% were pastoralists. The population was projected to reach 5,748,998 in 2017. This study was carried out in Jarar Zone (Dhagahbur General Hospital) and Korahe Zone (Kebridahar General Hospital) . Dagahbur town is located approximately 650 km east of Jijiga and about 780 km from Addis Ababa. Kebridahar town is the administrative center of Korahe Zone. Both hospitals serve as referral centers for surrounding districts and pastoral communities. Dhagahbur General Hospital has a total of 164 staff members , including clinical and administrative personnel. Kebridahar General Hospital has 148 staff members , comprising nurses, midwives, physicians, laboratory professionals, pharmacists, health officers, and administrative staff. Study period The study was conducted from June to July 2020 . Study design An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed Source of population All healthcare workers and administrative staff working in public hospitals of the Somali Region Study population All healthcare workers and administrative staff working at Dhagahbur General Hospital and Kebridahar General Hospital during the study period. Inclusion and exclusion criteria Inclusion:- All healthcare workers and administrative staff who were available during the study period and willing to participate. Exclusion criteria ; Healthcare workers who were engaged in critical duties during data collection (e.g., operating room staff, radiology staff) Sample size determination The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula , assuming a proportion of 84% for study conducted on Knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.( 10 ) n= \(\:\frac{{\text{z}}^{2}\text{p}\text{q}}{{\text{d}}^{2}}\) where z = 1.96 P = the proportion of hand-washing practice were 84% q = 1-p, 1-0.84 = 0.16 d = 0.05, degree of accuracy desired n= \(\:{(1.96)}^{2}\text{*}0.84\text{*}0.16/{0.05}^{2}\) , = 207 The calculated sample size was 207 . After adding a 5% non-response rate , the final sample size became 217 participants . Sampling procedure Two public hospitals were selected from the Somali Region using a purposive sampling technique. The total sample size was allocated proportionally to each hospital based on the number of staff. (Dhagahbur General Hospital:114 participants and Kebridahar General Hospital: 103 participants). Participants were selected via using systematic random sampling technique using staff registration lists. The sampling interval (k) was calculated as N/n, and the first participant was selected by lottery method, followed by every kth staff member until the required sample size was reached. Data collection instrument and validity Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidelines updated in March 2020. The questionnaire included sections on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of COVID-19, Infection prevention and control practices, Hand hygiene knowledge based on WHO “Five Moments of Hand Hygiene” The questionnaire was translated from English to Somali and back-translated to maintain consistency. Study variables Dependent variable: Awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 Independent variable: Socio-demographic characteristics Professional category Work experience Source of information Awareness of hand hygiene practice Operational definition Corona virus:- The novel corona virus 2019 (2019-nCoV), officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a newly-emerged human infectious coronavirus. ( 4 ) Infection prevention and control (IPC):- is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. It is grounded in infectious diseases, epidemiology, social science and health system strengthening. IPC occupies a unique position in the field of patient safety and quality universal health coverage since it is relevant to health workers and patients at every single health-care encounter.( 11 ) Hcw’s:- a health care worker is a one who delivers care and services to the sick and ailing either directly as doctors and nurses or indirectly as aides, helpers, laboratory technicians, or even medical waste handlers. ( 11 ) Prevention:- any action taken to decrease the chance of getting a disease or condition. ( 12 ) Awareness:- is the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects ,or sensory patterns.( 13 ) Definition of Awareness Level The level of awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Participants’ responses were scored and converted into percentages. The overall awareness level was classified using the Modified Bloom’s cut-off point , where a score of less than 60% was considered poor awareness , 60–79% was considered moderate awareness , and greater than or equal 80% was considered good awareness . ( 10 ) Data quality assurance Data quality was ensured through questionnaire pre-testing, training of data collectors, daily supervision, and immediate checking for completeness and consistency at the collection site. Data processing and analysis Data were entered into EpiData version 3.02 , cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables. The chi-square test was applied to assess associations, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.. Ethical consideration Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Jigjiga University Institutional Health Research Ethics Review Committee (No: IHRERC/58/2020 ). Prior to data collection, permission was secured from the respective hospital administrations. All study participants were informed about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, and their rights as participants. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before enrollment. Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. Confidentiality of the information was strictly maintained, and no personal identifiers were included in the data collection tools or reports. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Expected outcome of the study The study aimed to determine the level of awareness and infection prevention practices against COVID-19 among healthcare workers and administrative staff. RESULTS Socio- Demographic Characteristics of the study participants Out of the 217 hospital staff initially sampled, 200 participants completed the study , yielding a response rate of 92.1% . The majority of participants (70.0%) were aged 18–30 years, 25.5% were 31–44 years, and 4.5% were ≥ 45 years. The majority of respondents were Muslim (187, 93.5%) , and most were male (120, 60%) , with females accounting for 80 (40%) . The predominant ethnic group was Somali (182, 91%) . In terms of profession, BSc nurses (44, 22%) constituted the largest group, followed by BSc midwives (31, 15.5%) and clinical nurses level IV (28, 14%) . Public health officers represented the smallest professional group ( 8, 4% ). Regarding sources of information on COVID-19, social media was the most frequently reported source ( 72, 36% ) (Table: 1) 4.2 The awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 among health care workers and administrative staffs Overall awareness of COVID-19 infection prevention among participants was moderate , with an overall median correct response rate of approximately 60%. Using the Modified Bloom’s cut-off point, awareness varied across demographic and professional categories. More than half of the respondents correctly identified respiratory droplets as the primary mode of COVID-19 transmission. However, only 12.5% correctly identified SARS-CoV-2 as the causative agent of the disease. Knowledge of close contact definition was limited, with only 36.0% of participants providing a correct response. Regarding hand hygiene, 70.5% of respondents correctly identified all recommended moments for hand hygiene. However, only 47.5% reported having received formal hand hygiene training in the past three years. A substantial proportion of participants incorrectly selected alcohol-based hand sanitizer as the preferred method for cleaning visibly soiled hands. Awareness of personal protective equipment use was relatively high, with more than 80% of respondents correctly identifying appropriate PPE for transporting suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. In contrast, awareness of recommended isolation room requirements was lower, with only 42.5% providing correct responses. ( Table 2 ) Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of healthcare workers in Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020 Variable Category Frequency (n) Percent (%) Age group 18–30 years 140 70.0 31–45 years 51 25.5 > 45 years 9 4.5 Gender Male 120 60 Female 80 40 Profession Doctors 25 12.5 Public health officers 8 4.0 BSc Nursing 44 22.0 BSc Midwifery 31 15.5 Clinical nurse level IV 28 14.0 Midwifery level IV 17 8.5 Pharmacist 18 9.0 Laboratory technician 11 5.5 Non-clinical/Administrative staff 18 9.0 Religion Muslim 187 93.5 Orthodox 11 5.5 Protestant 1 0.5 Catholic 1 0.5 Marital status Single 108 54.0 Married 88 44.0 Divorced 3 1.5 Widowed 1 0.5 Source of information Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat) 72 36.0 Websites/news portals 62 31.0 Media (TV, magazines, newspapers, radio) 43 21.5 News 22 11.0 Work experience < 2 years 77 38.5 2–4 years 78 39.0 ≥ 5 years 45 22.5 Footnote: n = total number of participants (200) Table 2 Awareness and infection prevention practices against COVID-19 among healthcare workers, Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020. Variable Response Frequency (n) Percent (%) Virus causing COVID-19 SARS-CoV 64 32.0 SARS-CoV-2 25 12.5 COVID-19 nCoV 27 13.5 Both SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 nCoV 47 23.5 Both SARS-CoV and COVID-19 nCoV 37 18.5 Mode of transmission Respiratory droplets 108 54.0 Contaminated surfaces 92 46.0 Definition of close contact ~ 10 feet (3 m) for prolonged period 14 7.0 ~ 6 feet (2 m) for prolonged period 72 36.0 Direct contact with infectious secretions 40 20.0 Both 6 feet & direct contact 54 27.0 Both 10 feet & direct contact 20 10.0 Situations for medical advice Close contact with COVID-19 case 25 12.5 Residing in area with ongoing COVID-19 23 11.5 Recent travel to affected area 8 4.0 All of the above 144 72.0 Received hand hygiene training Yes 95 47.5 No 105 52.5 Hand hygiene actions preventing virus transmission After touching patient 8 4.0 After exposure to body fluids 10 5.0 After exposure to surroundings 16 8.0 Before putting on/removing PPE 25 12.5 All of the above 141 70.5 Preferred method for visibly soiled hands Soap & water 10 sec 38 19.0 Soap & water 20 sec 67 33.5 Alcohol-based sanitizer ≥ 60% 95 47.5 Face mask not essential for Healthy individuals 86 43.0 Close contacts of suspected/confirmed case 92 46.0 Healthcare professionals 22 11.0 Most effective prevention method in healthcare Avoid exposure/standard precautions 173 86.5 Vaccination 27 13.5 PPE for transporting COVID-19 patients Gown 2 1.0 Gloves 4 2.0 Eye protection 5 2.5 N95 mask 17 8.5 All of the above 172 86.0 PPE for asymptomatic patients with exposure Gown 3 1.5 Gloves 2 1.0 Eye protection 7 3.5 N95 mask 23 11.5 All of the above 165 82.5 Isolation procedure for confirmed/under investigation patients AIIR with exhaust 115 57.5 AIIR without exhaust 85 42.5 Recommended infection control upon patient arrival Rapid triage 16 8.0 Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette 36 18.0 Separate, well-ventilated waiting area 30 15.0 All of the above 118 59.0 Availability of specific treatment True 130 65.0 False 70 35.0 Infection control measures for aerosol-generating procedures True 132 66.0 False 68 34.0 Footnote: AIIR = Airborne Infection Isolation Room; PPE = Personal Protective Equipment 4.3 Awareness by Demographic and Professional Characteristics. Female participants demonstrated a slightly higher median awareness score (63.9%) compared to males (61.6%). Participants aged 18–30 years had higher median awareness than older age groups. Professionally, clinical nurse level IV staff (66.1%) and medical doctors (64.0%) demonstrated higher awareness levels, whereas non-clinical/administrative staff (49.3%) had the lowest median awareness score. ( Table 3 , 4 ) Table 3 Distribution of correct responses by age group and gender among healthcare workers in Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020 Variable 18–30 yrs (n = 140) % 31–44 yrs (n = 51) % ≥ 45 yrs (n = 9) % Male (n = 120) % Female (n = 80) % Q201 25.6 25.5 11.1 20.7 27.8 Q202 77.1 74.5 77.8 79.3 72.2 Q203 59.3 45.0 44.4 57.9 48.1 Q204 27.1 25.5 33.3 24.8 30.4 Q205 71.4 76.5 55.6 70.2 74.7 Q206 (Yes) 41.4 58.8 77.8 48.8 45.6 Q206 (No) 58.6 41.2 22.2 50.4 55.7 Q207 67.9 76.5 77.8 68.6 73.4 Q208 30.0 41.2 44.4 34.7 31.6 Q209 47.9 29.4 44.4 44.6 40.5 Q210 83.6 92.2 100 85.9 87.3 Q211 85.7 86.3 88.9 85.1 87.3 Q212 83.6 80.4 77.8 79.3 87.3 Q213 45.0 33.3 55.6 41.3 44.3 Q214 61.4 54.9 44.4 57.0 74.7 Q215 64.4 66.7 66.7 67.8 60.8 Q216 69.3 56.9 66.7 65.3 67.0 Median correct % 62.9 57.9 61.2 61.6 63.9 Footnote: Q201–Q216 represent individual knowledge/practice questions related to COVID-19 awareness. Table 4 Distribution of correct responses by profession among healthcare workers in Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020 Variable Doctors (n = 25) % PHO (n = 8) % BSc Nursing (n = 44) % BSc Midwifery (n = 31) % Clinical nurse IV (n = 28) % Midwifery IV (n = 17) % Pharmacist (n = 18) % Lab tech (n = 11) % Non-clinical/admin (n = 18) % Q201 24 12.5 27.3 22.6 28.6 29.4 5.6 9.1 33.3 Q202 96 62.5 68.2 80.6 75.0 76.5 72.2 81.8 72.2 Q203 72 50.0 56.8 38.7 64.3 52.9 44.4 72.7 33.3 Q204 36 12.5 22.7 19.4 39.3 41.2 16.7 18.2 27.8 Q205 88 75.0 61.4 83.9 64.3 82.4 66.7 72.7 61.1 Q206 (Yes) 44 50.0 45.5 48.4 67.9 29.4 55.6 27.3 44.4 Q206 (No) 56 50.0 54.5 51.6 32.1 70.6 44.4 72.7 55.6 Q207 72 37.5 63.6 77.4 82.1 82.4 72.2 63.6 61.1 Q208 44 37.5 34.0 32.3 39.3 41.2 11.1 27.3 27.8 Q209 40 25.0 43.2 38.7 46.4 23.5 50.0 63.6 55.6 Q210 92 100 77.3 83.9 85.7 82.4 88.9 90.9 100 Q211 92 75.0 93.2 90.3 96.4 76.5 83.3 45.5 77.8 Q212 80 75.0 86.4 93.5 78.6 76.5 88.9 81.8 66.7 Q213 64 50.0 45.5 38.7 50.0 41.2 27.8 36.4 16.7 Q214 72 62.5 56.8 64.5 57.1 70.6 61.1 54.5 27.8 Q215 64 62.5 63.8 74.2 71.4 29.4 55.6 72.7 83.3 Q216 56 50.0 56.8 58.0 82.1 70.6 77.8 81.8 72.2 Median correct % 64 52.5 56.8 59.8 66.1 53.7 54.8 58.2 49.3 Footnote: PHO = Public Health Officer; Lab tech = Laboratory Technician; Non-clinical/admin = administrative or non-medical staff; Q201–Q216 correspond to individual knowledge/practice questions Discussion The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide, posing a major public health threat. During the early months of the pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were at particularly high risk of infection due to frequent and close contact with patients, highlighting the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) awareness and practices. This study assessed the level of COVID-19 IPC awareness among healthcare and administrative staff in two public hospitals of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, during June-July 2020. The results revealed a moderate overall level of awareness (median score 60%), indicating that while basic knowledge of COVID-19 transmission and prevention existed, critical gaps remained. These findings are consistent with early studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries, which reported moderate knowledge levels among healthcare workers during the initial phase of the pandemic.( 9 ):( 13 ). This suggests that although general IPC messages were disseminated widely, detailed knowledge regarding specific preventive measures was not fully internalized without targeted training. Profession-specific differences were observed in awareness. Clinical nurses (66.1%) and medical doctors (64.0%) demonstrated higher awareness compared with non-clinical and administrative staff (49.3%). The higher awareness among clinical staff likely reflects their direct involvement in patient care and prior IPC training. Conversely, non-clinical personnel, despite their exposure to healthcare environments, had lower awareness levels. Similar professional disparities were reported in early studies in Saudi Arabia and other resource-limited settings, emphasizing the need to include all categories of hospital staff in IPC programs. ( 6 ):( 10 ). Hand hygiene awareness was relatively good, with most participants identifying the recommended moments for hand hygiene. However, misconceptions persisted regarding the appropriate method for cleaning visibly soiled hands, and less than half had received formal training in the preceding three years. This finding highlights the need for continuous, practical IPC training rather than reliance solely on theoretical knowledge, echoing findings from studies in Ethiopia and Libya conducted in the first half of 2020. ( 13 ):( 14 ). Overall, these results underscore the importance of inclusive IPC strategies that address both clinical and non-clinical staff. Providing targeted education, regular refresher training, and clear guidance on hand hygiene, isolation procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use is critical for strengthening hospital preparedness against COVID-19 and future outbreaks. Conclusion Healthcare workers and administrative staff in the two public hospitals of the Somali Region demonstrated a moderate level of awareness of COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures. Awareness of hand hygiene moments and PPE use was generally satisfactory; however, significant gaps were observed in knowledge regarding the causative agent, close contact definitions, isolation procedures, and appropriate hand hygiene practices. Professional, age, and gender differences were apparent, with non-clinical and administrative staff showing the lowest awareness despite frequent interaction with healthcare environments. These findings emphasize the need for inclusive and targeted infection prevention interventions that reach all categories of hospital staff, not only those directly involved in patient care. Limitations of the study This study had several limitations. The cross-sectional design limits causal inference between awareness and associated factors. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, which may be subject to recall and social desirability bias. The study was conducted in only two public hospitals, limiting generalizability to other settings. Additionally, rapidly evolving COVID-19 guidelines during the study period may have influenced awareness levels. Recommendations Inclusive Training Programs : National and regional health authorities should implement comprehensive IPC training that includes both clinical and non-clinical staff , ensuring all personnel understand key preventive measures. Continuous Education : Hospitals should provide regular refresher sessions and practical workshops on hand hygiene, isolation protocols, and PPE usage to reinforce knowledge and correct misconceptions. Monitoring and Evaluation : Establish routine assessments of staff awareness and practices to identify gaps and adjust training programs accordingly. Resource Provision : Ensure adequate supplies of PPE, hand hygiene materials, and isolation facilities, particularly in resource-limited hospitals, to support effective infection prevention. Public Health Preparedness : Strengthen communication and educational campaigns aimed at healthcare workers and the wider community to maintain awareness and readiness for future outbreaks. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Jigjiga University Institutional Health Research Ethics Review Committee (No: IHRERC/58 /2020). Prior to data collection, permission was secured from the respective hospital administrations. All study participants were informed about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, and their rights as participants. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before enrollment. Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. Confidentiality of the information was strictly maintained, and no personal identifiers were included in the data collection tools or reports. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Clinical trial registration number: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. ORCID Amin Ugas Mahad https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8009-6654 Supporting information S1 File. Data used in analysis for this study. (XLS). ANNEX1 Informed consent Form ANNEX2 Questionnaires Form ANNEX3 Map of study area ANNEX4 Ethical Approval letter Funding statement: The authors did not receive any specific funding for this work. Author Contribution AUM conceived and designed the study, coordinated data collection, performed data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. AMI contributed data analysis and Interpretation of result, AMA assisted with data collection and supervision, ASB assisted data supervision and writing. AKR contributed conceptualization, MAF contributed supervision, AMI Contributed data verification. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgement The authors thank the study participants, hospital administrators, and data collectors for their cooperation and support. Data Availability The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. References Morse JS, Lalonde T, Xu S, Liu WR. Learning from the past: possible urgent prevention and treatment options for severe acute respiratory infections caused by 2019-nCoV. ChemBioChem. 2020;21(5):730–8. Wassenaar TM, Zou Y. 2019_nCoV/SARS-CoV‐2: rapid classification of betacoronaviruses and identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine as potential origin of zoonotic coronaviruses. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2020;70(5):342–8. Wu J, Wu X, Zeng W, Guo D, Fang Z, Chen L, et al. Chest CT findings in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and its relationship with clinical features. Invest Radiol. 2020;55(5):257–61. Organization WH. 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Delays in global disease outbreak responses: lessons from H1N1, Ebola, and Zika. Am J public health 2018 108(3):329–33. Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Rahmani J, Mahabadi MA, Bandari DK. Knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among health care workers: cross-sectional study. JMIR Public Health Surveillance. (2020)., 6, e19160. Al-Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, Qattan AM, Helmy HZ, Abudawood Y, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Front public health. 2020;8:217. Joseph B, Joseph M. The health of the healthcare workers. Medknow; 2016. pp. 71–2. Kaliyaperumal K. Guideline for conducting a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study. AECS illumination. 2004;4(1):7. Elhadi M, Msherghi A, Alkeelani M, Zorgani A, Zaid A, Alsuyihili A, et al. Assessment of healthcare workers’ levels of preparedness and awareness regarding COVID-19 infection in low-resource settings. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020;103(2):828. Bhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Rahmani J, Mahabadi MA, Bandari DK. Knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among health care workers: cross-sectional study. JMIR public health surveillance. 2020;6(2):e19160. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Annex1QuestionairesForm.docx S1FILEDATAANAYSISXSLCOVID19.xls EthicalApprovalletter.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8725156","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":582664109,"identity":"af60d96c-d5cc-4361-bd85-5c268a2bffb4","order_by":0,"name":"Amin Ugas Mahad","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABA0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxoYDMCYzEMmBGAcekKLFGKwlgVgLQVoSG0AsfFr4px1uPFzYVivP33868XNBjXX6/LDDD4G22MnpNmDXInE7seHwzLbjhjNu5G6WnnEsPXfj7TQDoJZkY7MD2LUwgLTwth1jbLjBu0Gah+1w7sbZCSAtBxK34dAiD9ViP//82c2/ef4dTjecnf4BrxYDiJaaxA0HcrdJ87YdTpCXzsFviyFIC8+5A8kbb+Rus+btSzfcIJ1TcCDBALdf5G6nP/7MU1ZnOw/osNs836zl5Wenb/7wocJODqf3IeAwklPBKg3wKgeBOgRTvoGg6lEwCkbBKBhhAACQqmwGjZhPagAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Amin","middleName":"Ugas","lastName":"Mahad","suffix":""},{"id":582664110,"identity":"f1f1aead-cf37-40d9-b446-4855e122b915","order_by":1,"name":"Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"Mohammed","lastName":"Ibrahim","suffix":""},{"id":582664111,"identity":"897489f9-e407-44ef-8e79-c0f6bd48cc2d","order_by":2,"name":"Abdiwase Mahamoud Aden","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdiwase","middleName":"Mahamoud","lastName":"Aden","suffix":""},{"id":582664112,"identity":"62642ceb-e7e2-4c85-afce-799f19e49969","order_by":3,"name":"Abdifatah Sheik Bashir","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdifatah","middleName":"Sheik","lastName":"Bashir","suffix":""},{"id":582664118,"identity":"56c62174-3c06-4981-b2ae-4cc9261390df","order_by":4,"name":"Abdirahman Kedir Roble","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdirahman","middleName":"Kedir","lastName":"Roble","suffix":""},{"id":582664121,"identity":"0c7a5b7c-6c4a-4f2f-87a8-f022cbb4d7de","order_by":5,"name":"Mohamed Abdi Farah","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohamed","middleName":"Abdi","lastName":"Farah","suffix":""},{"id":582664123,"identity":"3bf0b7f3-6699-4615-84cd-53ee8af76593","order_by":6,"name":"Ali Maalim Issack","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jigjiga University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ali","middleName":"Maalim","lastName":"Issack","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-01-28 21:23:13","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8725156/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8725156/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":101753047,"identity":"7a14c06a-a2aa-40bc-a0fa-cb1381d5dac8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-03 10:39:01","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2328560,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8725156/v1/9d6eb840-9330-4e75-90eb-48d9a66e1a83.pdf"},{"id":101647231,"identity":"50bb2a8e-a2f3-4888-9595-5872562c8265","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-02 08:52:18","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":22693,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Annex1QuestionairesForm.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8725156/v1/bf34b8f17061bfd99e9e5688.docx"},{"id":101647230,"identity":"5543ec1a-ce73-4a0f-a32f-3225ec8c2e5e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-02 08:52:18","extension":"xls","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":84486,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"S1FILEDATAANAYSISXSLCOVID19.xls","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8725156/v1/9c8a05a4dbaf0fde36607878.xls"},{"id":101647232,"identity":"9e89752a-40fc-44f1-8338-7e96340e90f6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-02 08:52:18","extension":"pdf","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":438730,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"EthicalApprovalletter.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8725156/v1/f34620238719b88e441970ed.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Assessment of Awareness of Infection Prevention Against Covid19 Among Staffs of Two Selected Public Hospitals In Somali Region Eastern Ethiopia.","fulltext":[{"header":"BACKGROUND","content":"\u003cp\u003eCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide due to its high transmissibility and lack of population immunity.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Betacoronavirus genus of the Coronaviridae family.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClinically, COVID-19 commonly presents with fever, fatigue, dry cough, and sore throat, while severe cases may progress to hypoxemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multi-organ failure.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e) The virus is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact, with possible fecal-oral transmission, and has an incubation period ranging from 2 to 14 days.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlobally, COVID-19 has resulted in millions of infections and substantial mortality, placing unprecedented pressure on health systems. Low- and middle-income countries, including those in East Africa, face additional challenges due to limited resources, weak health infrastructure, and shortages of personal protective equipment. In Ethiopia and neighboring countries, increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases have been reported among healthcare workers.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealthcare workers are at the frontline of COVID-19 prevention and response and are at heightened risk of infection because of their close and prolonged contact with patients. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e) To reduce this risk, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines and training programs aimed at improving awareness and safe practices among HCWs.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e) Nevertheless, evidence indicates that inadequate awareness and poor adherence to IPC measures among healthcare staff can contribute to healthcare-associated transmission and compromise patient and worker safety. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough several studies have assessed awareness of COVID-19 prevention among healthcare workers in high-income settings, evidence from pastoral and resource-limited regions such as the Somali Region of Eastern Ethiopia remains scarce. At the time of this study, no specific antiviral treatment or universally available vaccine was recommended, making effective infection prevention measures the primary strategy for controlling COVID-19 transmission.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiven the high occupational risk faced by healthcare workers and the limited local evidence, assessing awareness of infection prevention measures is critical for strengthening pandemic preparedness and response. Therefore, this study aimed to assess awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 among staff of two selected public hospitals in the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, in 2020.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHOD AND MATERIAL","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy area\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in the \u003cb\u003eSomali Regional State\u003c/b\u003e, located in eastern Ethiopia. The region is the second largest in the country and borders Afar and Oromia regions and Dire Dawa city administration to the west, Djibouti to the north, Somalia to the north, northeast and east, and Kenya to the southwest. Jijiga is the capital city of the region.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia, the Somali Region had a population of 4,445,219, of whom 14.0% lived in urban areas and approximately 38.0% were pastoralists. The population was projected to reach 5,748,998 in 2017.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was carried out in \u003cb\u003eJarar Zone (Dhagahbur General Hospital)\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eKorahe Zone (Kebridahar General Hospital)\u003c/b\u003e. Dagahbur town is located approximately 650 km east of Jijiga and about 780 km from Addis Ababa. Kebridahar town is the administrative center of Korahe Zone. Both hospitals serve as referral centers for surrounding districts and pastoral communities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDhagahbur General Hospital has a total of \u003cb\u003e164 staff members\u003c/b\u003e, including clinical and administrative personnel. Kebridahar General Hospital has \u003cb\u003e148 staff members\u003c/b\u003e, comprising nurses, midwives, physicians, laboratory professionals, pharmacists, health officers, and administrative staff.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy period\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted from \u003cb\u003eJune to July 2020\u003c/b\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy design\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn \u003cb\u003einstitution-based cross-sectional study design\u003c/b\u003e was employed\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSource of population\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll healthcare workers and administrative staff working in public hospitals of the Somali Region\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy population\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll healthcare workers and administrative staff working at \u003cb\u003eDhagahbur General Hospital\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eKebridahar General Hospital\u003c/b\u003e during the study period.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eInclusion and exclusion criteria\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eInclusion:-\u003c/b\u003e All healthcare workers and administrative staff who were available during the study period and willing to participate.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eExclusion criteria\u003c/b\u003e;\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealthcare workers who were engaged in critical duties during data collection (e.g., operating room staff, radiology staff)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSample size determination\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size was calculated using a \u003cb\u003esingle population proportion formula\u003c/b\u003e, assuming a proportion of \u003cb\u003e84%\u003c/b\u003e for study conducted on Knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en= \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\frac{{\\text{z}}^{2}\\text{p}\\text{q}}{{\\text{d}}^{2}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e where z\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;the proportion of hand-washing practice were 84%\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eq\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1-p, 1-0.84\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ed\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05, degree of accuracy desired\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en=\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{(1.96)}^{2}\\text{*}0.84\\text{*}0.16/{0.05}^{2}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e, =\u0026thinsp;207\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe calculated sample size was \u003cb\u003e207\u003c/b\u003e. After adding a \u003cb\u003e5% non-response rate\u003c/b\u003e, the final sample size became \u003cb\u003e217 participants\u003c/b\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSampling procedure\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo public hospitals were selected from the Somali Region using a purposive sampling technique. The total sample size was allocated proportionally to each hospital based on the number of staff. (Dhagahbur General Hospital:114 participants and Kebridahar General Hospital: 103 participants).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipants were selected via using systematic random sampling technique using staff registration lists. The sampling interval (k) was calculated as N/n, and the first participant was selected by lottery method, followed by every kth staff member until the required sample size was reached.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData collection instrument and validity\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were collected using a \u003cb\u003eself-administered structured questionnaire\u003c/b\u003e adapted from the \u003cb\u003eWorld Health Organization (WHO)\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\u003c/b\u003e COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidelines updated in March 2020.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe questionnaire included sections on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of COVID-19, Infection prevention and control practices, Hand hygiene knowledge based on WHO \u0026ldquo;Five Moments of Hand Hygiene\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe questionnaire was translated from English to Somali and back-translated to maintain consistency.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDependent variable:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness of infection prevention against COVID-19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eIndependent variable:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eProfessional category\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eWork experience\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eSource of information\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness of hand hygiene practice\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOperational definition\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eCorona virus:-\u003c/b\u003e The novel corona virus 2019 (2019-nCoV), officially named severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a newly-emerged human infectious coronavirus. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eInfection prevention and control (IPC):-\u003c/b\u003e is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. It is grounded in infectious diseases, epidemiology, social science and health system strengthening. IPC occupies a unique position in the field of patient safety and quality universal health coverage since it is relevant to health workers and patients at every single health-care encounter.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eHcw\u0026rsquo;s:-\u003c/b\u003ea health care worker is a one who delivers care and services to the sick and ailing either directly as doctors and nurses or indirectly as aides, helpers, laboratory technicians, or even medical waste handlers. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003ePrevention:-\u003c/b\u003e any action taken to decrease the chance of getting a disease or condition. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eAwareness:-\u003c/b\u003e is the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects ,or sensory patterns.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDefinition of Awareness Level\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe level of awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Participants\u0026rsquo; responses were scored and converted into percentages. The overall awareness level was classified using the \u003cb\u003eModified Bloom\u0026rsquo;s cut-off point\u003c/b\u003e, where a score of \u003cb\u003eless than 60%\u003c/b\u003e was considered \u003cb\u003epoor awareness\u003c/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003e60\u0026ndash;79%\u003c/b\u003e was considered \u003cb\u003emoderate awareness\u003c/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003egreater than or equal 80%\u003c/b\u003e was considered \u003cb\u003egood awareness\u003c/b\u003e. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData quality assurance\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData quality was ensured through questionnaire pre-testing, training of data collectors, daily supervision, and immediate checking for completeness and consistency at the collection site.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData processing and analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were entered into \u003cb\u003eEpiData version 3.02\u003c/b\u003e, cleaned, and exported to \u003cb\u003eSPSS version 23\u003c/b\u003e for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables. The \u003cb\u003echi-square test\u003c/b\u003e was applied to assess associations, and a \u003cb\u003ep-value\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/b\u003e was considered statistically significant..\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEthical consideration\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003efor this study was obtained from the \u003cb\u003eJigjiga University Institutional Health Research Ethics Review Committee\u003c/b\u003e (No: \u003cb\u003eIHRERC/58/2020\u003c/b\u003e). Prior to data collection, permission was secured from the respective hospital administrations. All study participants were informed about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, and their rights as participants. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before enrollment. Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. Confidentiality of the information was strictly maintained, and no personal identifiers were included in the data collection tools or reports. The study was conducted in accordance with the \u003cb\u003eethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExpected outcome of the study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study aimed to determine the level of awareness and infection prevention practices against COVID-19 among healthcare workers and administrative staff.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":" \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSocio- Demographic Characteristics of the study participants\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOut of the 217 hospital staff initially sampled, \u003cb\u003e200 participants completed the study\u003c/b\u003e, yielding a \u003cb\u003eresponse rate of 92.1%\u003c/b\u003e. The majority of participants (70.0%) were aged 18\u0026ndash;30 years, 25.5% were 31\u0026ndash;44 years, and 4.5% were \u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;45 years.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of respondents were \u003cb\u003eMuslim (187, 93.5%)\u003c/b\u003e, and most were \u003cb\u003emale (120, 60%)\u003c/b\u003e, with females accounting for \u003cb\u003e80 (40%)\u003c/b\u003e. The predominant ethnic group was \u003cb\u003eSomali (182, 91%)\u003c/b\u003e. In terms of profession, \u003cb\u003eBSc nurses (44, 22%)\u003c/b\u003e constituted the largest group, followed by \u003cb\u003eBSc midwives (31, 15.5%)\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eclinical nurses level IV (28, 14%)\u003c/b\u003e. Public health officers represented the smallest professional group (\u003cb\u003e8, 4%\u003c/b\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding sources of information on COVID-19, \u003cb\u003esocial media\u003c/b\u003e was the most frequently reported source (\u003cb\u003e72, 36%\u003c/b\u003e) \u003cb\u003e(Table: 1)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003e4.2 The awareness of infection prevention against COVID-19 among health care workers and administrative staffs\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall awareness of COVID-19 infection prevention among participants was \u003cb\u003emoderate\u003c/b\u003e, with an overall median correct response rate of approximately 60%. Using the Modified Bloom\u0026rsquo;s cut-off point, awareness varied across demographic and professional categories.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMore than half of the respondents correctly identified respiratory droplets as the primary mode of COVID-19 transmission. However, only 12.5% correctly identified SARS-CoV-2 as the causative agent of the disease. Knowledge of close contact definition was limited, with only 36.0% of participants providing a correct response.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding hand hygiene, 70.5% of respondents correctly identified all recommended moments for hand hygiene. However, only 47.5% reported having received formal hand hygiene training in the past three years. A substantial proportion of participants incorrectly selected alcohol-based hand sanitizer as the preferred method for cleaning visibly soiled hands.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness of personal protective equipment use was relatively high, with more than 80% of respondents correctly identifying appropriate PPE for transporting suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. In contrast, awareness of recommended isolation room requirements was lower, with only 42.5% providing correct responses. \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of healthcare workers in Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCategory\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercent (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge group\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e140\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u0026ndash;45 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;45 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eProfession\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoctors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePublic health officers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBSc Nursing\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBSc Midwifery\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClinical nurse level IV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMidwifery level IV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePharmacist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLaboratory technician\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-clinical/Administrative staff\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReligion\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMuslim\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e187\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrthodox\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProtestant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCatholic\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDivorced\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWidowed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSource of information\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial media (Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWebsites/news portals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedia (TV, magazines, newspapers, radio)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNews\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWork experience\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u0026ndash;4 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;5 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFootnote: n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;total number of participants (200)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness and infection prevention practices against COVID-19 among healthcare workers, Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eResponse\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercent (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVirus causing COVID-19\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSARS-CoV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSARS-CoV-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCOVID-19 nCoV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoth SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 nCoV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoth SARS-CoV and COVID-19 nCoV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMode of transmission\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRespiratory droplets\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eContaminated surfaces\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDefinition of close contact\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e~\u0026thinsp;10 feet (3 m) for prolonged period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e~\u0026thinsp;6 feet (2 m) for prolonged period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDirect contact with infectious secretions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoth 6 feet \u0026amp; direct contact\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoth 10 feet \u0026amp; direct contact\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSituations for medical advice\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClose contact with COVID-19 case\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eResiding in area with ongoing COVID-19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecent travel to affected area\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll of the above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e144\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReceived hand hygiene training\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e105\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHand hygiene actions preventing virus transmission\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter touching patient\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter exposure to body fluids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter exposure to surroundings\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBefore putting on/removing PPE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll of the above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e141\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePreferred method for visibly soiled hands\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoap \u0026amp; water 10 sec\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoap \u0026amp; water 20 sec\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlcohol-based sanitizer\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;60%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFace mask not essential for\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealthy individuals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClose contacts of suspected/confirmed case\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealthcare professionals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMost effective prevention method in healthcare\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid exposure/standard precautions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e173\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVaccination\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePPE for transporting COVID-19 patients\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGown\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGloves\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEye protection\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN95 mask\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll of the above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e172\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePPE for asymptomatic patients with exposure\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGown\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGloves\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEye protection\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN95 mask\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll of the above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e165\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIsolation procedure for confirmed/under investigation patients\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAIIR with exhaust\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAIIR without exhaust\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommended infection control upon patient arrival\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRapid triage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRespiratory hygiene/cough etiquette\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeparate, well-ventilated waiting area\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll of the above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAvailability of specific treatment\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrue\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFalse\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInfection control measures for aerosol-generating procedures\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrue\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFalse\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFootnote: AIIR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Airborne Infection Isolation Room; PPE\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Personal Protective Equipment\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003e4.3 Awareness by Demographic and Professional Characteristics.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale participants demonstrated a slightly higher median awareness score (63.9%) compared to males (61.6%). Participants aged 18\u0026ndash;30 years had higher median awareness than older age groups. Professionally, clinical nurse level IV staff (66.1%) and medical doctors (64.0%) demonstrated higher awareness levels, whereas non-clinical/administrative staff (49.3%) had the lowest median awareness score. \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistribution of correct responses by age group and gender among healthcare workers in Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;30 yrs (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;140) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u0026ndash;44 yrs (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;51) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;45 yrs (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;120) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;80) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ201\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ202\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ203\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ204\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ206 (Yes)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ206 (No)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ207\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ208\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ209\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ211\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ213\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ215\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ216\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedian correct %\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFootnote: Q201\u0026ndash;Q216 represent individual knowledge/practice questions related to COVID-19 awareness.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistribution of correct responses by profession among healthcare workers in Dhagahbur and Kebridahar Hospitals, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoctors (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;25) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePHO (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBSc Nursing (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;44) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBSc Midwifery (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;31) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClinical nurse IV (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;28) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMidwifery IV (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePharmacist (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLab tech (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-clinical/admin (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18) %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ201\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ202\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ203\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ204\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ206 (Yes)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ206 (No)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ207\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ208\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ209\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ211\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ213\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ215\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQ216\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedian correct %\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFootnote: PHO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Public Health Officer; Lab tech\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Laboratory Technician; Non-clinical/admin\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;administrative or non-medical staff; Q201\u0026ndash;Q216 correspond to individual knowledge/practice questions\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide, posing a major public health threat. During the early months of the pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were at particularly high risk of infection due to frequent and close contact with patients, highlighting the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) awareness and practices. This study assessed the level of COVID-19 IPC awareness among healthcare and administrative staff in two public hospitals of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, during June-July 2020.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results revealed a \u003cb\u003emoderate overall level of awareness\u003c/b\u003e (median score 60%), indicating that while basic knowledge of COVID-19 transmission and prevention existed, critical gaps remained. These findings are consistent with early studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries, which reported moderate knowledge levels among healthcare workers during the initial phase of the pandemic.(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e):(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e). This suggests that although general IPC messages were disseminated widely, detailed knowledge regarding specific preventive measures was not fully internalized without targeted training.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProfession-specific differences were observed in awareness. Clinical nurses (66.1%) and medical doctors (64.0%) demonstrated higher awareness compared with non-clinical and administrative staff (49.3%). The higher awareness among clinical staff likely reflects their direct involvement in patient care and prior IPC training. Conversely, non-clinical personnel, despite their exposure to healthcare environments, had lower awareness levels. Similar professional disparities were reported in early studies in Saudi Arabia and other resource-limited settings, emphasizing the need to include all categories of hospital staff in IPC programs. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e):(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Hand hygiene awareness was relatively good, with most participants identifying the recommended moments for hand hygiene. However, misconceptions persisted regarding the appropriate method for cleaning visibly soiled hands, and less than half had received formal training in the preceding three years. This finding highlights the need for continuous, practical IPC training rather than reliance solely on theoretical knowledge, echoing findings from studies in Ethiopia and Libya conducted in the first half of 2020. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e):(\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, these results underscore the importance of inclusive IPC strategies that address both clinical and non-clinical staff. Providing targeted education, regular refresher training, and clear guidance on hand hygiene, isolation procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use is critical for strengthening hospital preparedness against COVID-19 and future outbreaks.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eHealthcare workers and administrative staff in the two public hospitals of the Somali Region demonstrated a \u003cb\u003emoderate level of awareness\u003c/b\u003e of COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures. Awareness of hand hygiene moments and PPE use was generally satisfactory; however, significant gaps were observed in knowledge regarding the causative agent, close contact definitions, isolation procedures, and appropriate hand hygiene practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProfessional, age, and gender differences were apparent, with \u003cb\u003enon-clinical and administrative staff showing the lowest awareness\u003c/b\u003e despite frequent interaction with healthcare environments. These findings emphasize the need for inclusive and targeted infection prevention interventions that reach all categories of hospital staff, not only those directly involved in patient care.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec25\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLimitations of the study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study had several limitations. The cross-sectional design limits causal inference between awareness and associated factors. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, which may be subject to recall and social desirability bias. The study was conducted in only two public hospitals, limiting generalizability to other settings. Additionally, rapidly evolving COVID-19 guidelines during the study period may have influenced awareness levels.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec26\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eRecommendations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eInclusive Training Programs\u003c/b\u003e: National and regional health authorities should implement comprehensive IPC training that includes \u003cb\u003eboth clinical and non-clinical staff\u003c/b\u003e, ensuring all personnel understand key preventive measures.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eContinuous Education\u003c/b\u003e: Hospitals should provide regular refresher sessions and practical workshops on hand hygiene, isolation protocols, and PPE usage to reinforce knowledge and correct misconceptions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eMonitoring and Evaluation\u003c/b\u003e: Establish routine assessments of staff awareness and practices to identify gaps and adjust training programs accordingly.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eResource Provision\u003c/b\u003e: Ensure adequate supplies of PPE, hand hygiene materials, and isolation facilities, particularly in resource-limited hospitals, to support effective infection prevention.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003ePublic Health Preparedness\u003c/b\u003e: Strengthen communication and educational campaigns aimed at healthcare workers and the wider community to maintain awareness and readiness for future outbreaks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":" \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthical approval for this study was obtained from the \u003cb\u003eJigjiga University Institutional Health Research Ethics Review Committee\u003c/b\u003e (No: IHRERC/58\u003cb\u003e/2020).\u003c/b\u003e Prior to data collection, permission was secured from the respective hospital administrations. All study participants were informed about the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, and their rights as participants. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant before enrollment. Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. Confidentiality of the information was strictly maintained, and no personal identifiers were included in the data collection tools or reports. The study was conducted in accordance with the \u003cb\u003eethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eClinical trial registration number:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCompeting interests:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eORCID\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmin Ugas Mahad \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-8009-6654\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8009-6654\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSupporting information\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eS1 File. Data used in analysis for this study. (XLS).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eANNEX1 Informed consent Form\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eANNEX2 Questionnaires Form\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eANNEX3 Map of study area\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eANNEX4 Ethical Approval letter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding statement:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors did not receive any specific funding for this work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAUM conceived and designed the study, coordinated data collection, performed data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. AMI contributed data analysis and Interpretation of result, AMA assisted with data collection and supervision, ASB assisted data supervision and writing. AKR contributed conceptualization, MAF contributed supervision, AMI Contributed data verification. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors thank the study participants, hospital administrators, and data collectors for their cooperation and support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMorse JS, Lalonde T, Xu S, Liu WR. Learning from the past: possible urgent prevention and treatment options for severe acute respiratory infections caused by 2019-nCoV. ChemBioChem. 2020;21(5):730\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWassenaar TM, Zou Y. 2019_nCoV/SARS-CoV‐2: rapid classification of betacoronaviruses and identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine as potential origin of zoonotic coronaviruses. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2020;70(5):342\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWu J, Wu X, Zeng W, Guo D, Fang Z, Chen L, et al. Chest CT findings in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and its relationship with clinical features. Invest Radiol. 2020;55(5):257\u0026ndash;61.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganization WH. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): situation report, 67. World Health Organ. 2020;26.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCovid C, Team R, Chow N, Fleming-Dutra K, Gierke R, Hall A, et al. Preliminary estimates of the prevalence of selected underlying health conditions among patients with coronavirus disease 2019\u0026mdash;United States, February 12\u0026ndash;March 28, 2020. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(13):382.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlmutairi AF, Adlan AA, Balkhy HH, Abbas OA, Clark AM. It feels like I\u0026rsquo;m the dirtiest person in the world.: exploring the experiences of healthcare providers who survived MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health. 2018;11(2):187\u0026ndash;91.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHCP HP. Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare settings. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Diabetes, Translation (Atlanta, GA, 2020)[Available from: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://stacks cdc gov/view/cdc/86043]\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://stacks cdc gov/view/cdc/86043]\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. 2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHoffman SJSS. Delays in global disease outbreak responses: lessons from H1N1, Ebola, and Zika. Am J public health 2018 108(3):329\u0026ndash;33.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Rahmani J, Mahabadi MA, Bandari DK. Knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among health care workers: cross-sectional study. JMIR Public Health Surveillance. (2020)., 6, e19160.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAl-Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, Qattan AM, Helmy HZ, Abudawood Y, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Front public health. 2020;8:217.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoseph B, Joseph M. The health of the healthcare workers. Medknow; 2016. pp. 71\u0026ndash;2.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKaliyaperumal K. Guideline for conducting a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study. AECS illumination. 2004;4(1):7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElhadi M, Msherghi A, Alkeelani M, Zorgani A, Zaid A, Alsuyihili A, et al. Assessment of healthcare workers\u0026rsquo; levels of preparedness and awareness regarding COVID-19 infection in low-resource settings. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020;103(2):828.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBhagavathula AS, Aldhaleei WA, Rahmani J, Mahabadi MA, Bandari DK. Knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among health care workers: cross-sectional study. JMIR public health surveillance. 2020;6(2):e19160.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"COVID-19, Infection prevention, Awareness, Healthcare workers, Somali Region","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8725156/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8725156/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has placed healthcare workers (HCWs) and administrative staff at increased risk of infection, making awareness of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures essential. Assessing awareness levels among healthcare personnel is critical for strengthening preparedness and response in healthcare settings.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eObjective:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo assess the level of awareness and associated factors of COVID-19 infection prevention among healthcare workers and administrative staff in selected public hospitals of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 healthcare workers and administrative staff from Dhagahbur and Kebridahar General Hospitals. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed, and awareness levels were summarized using median scores. The Modified Bloom\u0026rsquo;s cut-off point was applied to categorize awareness levels.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOf the 200 participants, 120 (60.0%) were male and 80 (40.0%) were female. The overall awareness of COVID-19 infection prevention was moderate, with an overall median correct response rate of 60%. Higher awareness was observed among clinical nurse level IV staff (66.1%) and medical doctors (64.0%), while non-clinical/administrative staff (49.3%) demonstrated the lowest awareness. Female participants showed slightly higher median awareness than males. Although most respondents correctly identified hand hygiene moments and appropriate PPE use, notable gaps were observed in identifying the causative agent, defining close contact, appropriate isolation procedures, and preferred hand hygiene methods for visibly soiled hands.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealthcare workers and administrative staff demonstrated a moderate level of awareness regarding COVID-19 infection prevention. Targeted and continuous IPC training particularly for non-clinical staff is recommended to address identified gaps and strengthen infection prevention practices.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Assessment of Awareness of Infection Prevention Against Covid19 Among Staffs of Two Selected Public Hospitals In Somali Region Eastern Ethiopia.","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-02-02 08:52:08","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8725156/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d57cde0c-91fe-4512-8324-56cf849c3bd9","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 2nd, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-02-02T12:57:00+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-02-02 08:52:08","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8725156","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8725156","identity":"rs-8725156","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}