Knowledge, Attitude and Skills of Nurses/Midwives Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Public Health Facilities in Selected Counties in Kenya.
Publication Date: 17/10/2025
Author(s): Joyce Jebet Cheptum, Dinah Chelagat (Prof.), Thaddeus Nyandika, Miriam Wagoro (Prof.), Irene Mageto (Ph.D.), Eunice Omondi (Ph.D.), Ruth Mbugua (Ph.D.), Albanus Mutisya (Ph.D.).
Volume/Issue: Volume 8, Issue 3 (2025)
Page No: 112-122
Journal: African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research (AJSSHR)
Abstract:
Background: Nurses and midwives are the backbone in provision of health care globally and in Kenya. COVID 19 pandemic led to several negative impacts in the health sector. Knowledge and skills in prevention of COVID 19 is key in control of infection. Objective: This study sought to establish the knowledge, attitude and skills of nurses/ midwives in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 331 nurses/ midwives in Kenya. The counties were purposively selected; cluster sampling was employed to proportionate the sample size and simple random sampling was used to select the facilities and the respondents per facility. Data was analysed using STATA 23 and presented in form of figures, tables and narrative texts. Ethical approval was sought from Kenyatta National Hospital – University of Nairobi Ethics and Review Committee. Results: Most respondents were aged between 21 – 30 years, majority being females. Information was mostly received from government sources. Generally, the nurses and midwives were knowledgeable about COVID 19, with 94.1% agreeing that wearing PPEs appropriately could prevent infection; 91.8% agreeing that isolation and management of an infected patient is the recommended treatment. Only 37.7% felt confident in managing a COVID 19 patient. On infection – prevention practices, 86.1% washed their hands before and after coming to contact with a patient and 52.4% of them spend the shortest time possible in isolation rooms with COVID 19 patients. Conclusion: Nurses and midwives were knowledgeable and had positive attitude towards COVID 19 prevention practices, however there were poor practices related to prevention of COVID 19. There is need to enhance infection- prevention practices to protect nurses/ midwives during pandemics.
Keywords:
Nurses, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, COVID-19.
