Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Nurses Preparedness Toward Future Disease Outbreak Among Nurses in University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital Ondo, Ondo State

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Objectives: This study examines critically the impact of COVID-19 on Nurses' preparedness towards future disease outbreaks among nurses in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo. Putting into consideration the causes, incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. Material and Methods: A descriptive research design was used, a convenient sampling method was used in selecting a sample among the Nurses' staff in the UNIMEDTH, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection tool in which 100 were distributed but only 95 were returned. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS). Results: The study revealed that nurses had good knowledge of COVID-19 infection control. It was further discovered that there is a significant relationship between Nurses' knowledge and preparedness toward future outbreaks of COVID-19, P=0.023. Conclusion: The study concluded that nurses in this hospital are prepared for future outbreaks of COVID-19. The government should therefore rise to ensure that the preparedness is backed up by training and retraining nurses on infection control and by making the needed resources such as personal protective equipment readily available on demand.