Ghana Needs a Comprehensive Blueprint for Pandemic Management.

Abstract

This major study aimed to determine Ghanaian physicians, pharmacists, and nurses' knowledge, perception, and preparedness for a pandemic or another wave of COVID-19. The cross-sectional study, comprising 55 questions about COVID-19 knowledge, 29 about perception, and 21 about preparedness, was conducted between May and July 2023. The questionnaire was distributed through various social media platforms, ensuring a national reach. Participation from all 16 regions of Ghana was recorded for all three professionals. The inclusion criteria, a key aspect, are based on the healthcare professionals directly linked with hospitals and facilities who had direct contact with patients. Three thousand three hundred and twenty-three healthcare professionals responded to the survey, giving a 97% response rate. Seven hundred seventy-seven physicians, 1199 pharmacists, and 1347 nurses responded to the study, showcasing the extensive expertise of Ghanaian healthcare professionals. The findings reveal that Ghanaian physicians ranked high regarding their knowledge of COVID-19. Our study further shows that 98% of the pharmacist participants provided positive feedback about knowledge-related questions and an adequate understanding of attitudes toward coronavirus symptoms, transmission, disease severity, and preventive measures. The study also reveals that Ghanaian nurses were knowledgeable, had a good perception, and were prepared for a pandemic or another wave of COVID-19. However, the study also highlights a concerning trend where the level of preparedness for a pandemic or another wave of COVID 19 was low in all instances. In conclusion, this study underscores the critical role of knowledge in shaping the actions of Ghanaian healthcare professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic threats. It also emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive blueprint for pandemic management in Ghana to address this gap.