Awareness and Knowledge of COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers in Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to healthcare workers working at Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine and University of Kyrenia, Dr. Suat Gunsel Hospital, to evaluate the coronavirus disease 2019 awareness and level of knowledge. RESULTS: A total of 598 healthcare workers participated in the study. Two-thirds of the respondents were from Turkey, while one-third were from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The general symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 were well known in the general population. Awareness of most symptoms was significantly lower in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus group. It was well known that coronavirus disease 2019 can be asymptomatic in some patients and it can be contagious. The necessity of wearing surgical masks on sick individuals was less known in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus group (96.6% vs 61.6%; P = .000). While handwashing was found similar in both groups for protection from coronavirus disease 2019 transmission, social distance and mask recommendations were lower in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus group (P < .05). The concern about transmitting the virus to themselves and their relatives was more significant in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus group than the Turkey group (84.4% vs 96.5%; P = .000). And 92.2% of the healthcare workers thought they should stay in an alternative place instead of their homes. CONCLUSION: The awareness and knowledge level of coronavirus disease 2019 is higher in Turkey than in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus related to the increased number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in Turkey. Continuous education programs can contribute to improving the level of knowledge and reducing anxiety.