Awareness, Attitude, and Anxiety of Radiographers in the Management of COVID-19 Patients in a Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers which included radiographers are extremely strained during the course of any pandemic because of their role as key players in response to a pandemic. Imaging, especially chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) have emerged as key components of COVID-19 patient investigation and management pathways. Objectives: This study assessed the Awareness, attitude and anxiety of medical radiographers in the management of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: Forty-four (44) practicing radiographers in government and private hospitals and diagnositic centers within Anambra State participated in the study. A validated questionnaire designed according to the objectives and developed based on, awareness, attitude and anxiety of radiographers in management of COVID-19 patient was used. Only those that were properly filled were used in the final data analysis. The data were analyzed using Microsoft's™ Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: This showed that 29 respondents (65.91%) are highly aware of COVID-19 infection, 14 (31.85%) were aware, and 0 (0.00%) are not aware. Their attitude toward attending to COVID-19 patients showed that 31.82% (14) gladly accepted, 22.73% (10) said that they will resign and leave the profession, 29.55% (13) would do it grudgingly, while 15.91% (7) stated other reasons for attending to COVID-19 patients. The anxiety revealed that there is the possibility of getting a COVID-19 infection, to which 54.55% (24) strongly agreed, 40.91% (18) agreed, and 2.27% (1) strongly disagreed. Conclusion: Radiographers are aware of COVID-19 infection, and the majority show a poor attitude and high anxiety level in attending to infected patients.