Responses of health professionals to coronavirus, coronavirus variants, and vaccines: Cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has affected millions of people around the world since its first case in 2019. In this pandemic, health professionals have been among the most vulnerable groups to contracting the virus or spreading it to others; therefore, their appropriate response in line with health and safety is crucial and needs to be addressed.

Objective: This study evaluated health professionals' behaviors and attitudes toward COVID-19. This includes testing, vaccination, history of infection, and fear of infection.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among health professionals practicing in Sindh, Pakistan. A sample size of 400 was considered for the present study, including dentists and medical doctors practicing in Sindh's healthcare setups.

Results: According to the results, the response rate was 95.50%. 73.04% of participating health professionals reported a history of COVID-19 infection. The highest levels of fear and anxiety of getting infected with new COVID-19 variants were derived among junior medical professionals (RMOs). 98.69% of health professionals were reported to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 virus. 3% of participating health professionals revealed that they do not believe in testing.

Conclusions: Although fear and anxiety towards new emerging COVID-19 variants were largely prevalent, negligible reluctance toward vaccination among health professionals of Sindh was reported in the study. More studies are required from other parts of Pakistan to address health professionals' response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to aid health policymakers in establishing precise SOPs for health professionals, and to manage COVID-19-related negative psychological and corporal effects on them.