The perception and attitude of Turkish ophthalmologists related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors : Eren EKİCİ, Mehmet ÇITIRIK

Pages : 99-105

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.1205177

View : 41 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2023-01-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: To investigate the level of perceptions and attitudes regarding COVID-19 among Turkish ophthalmologists in a tertiary eye care referral center. Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey-based study including the sociodemographic form in addition to 52 multiple-choice questions was conducted in March 2021. The questions were to assess the perception of three concepts separately: The disease, the causes of COVID-19, and the control of COVID-19. Along with this, it also included questions to evaluate the attitudes of avoidance of COVID-19 and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: A total of 43 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(15 males and 28 females); ophthalmologists completed the online survey. The perception of dangerousness and contagiousness was strong among ophthalmologists. The scores in the sub-dimensions of the perception of the causes of COVID-19 presented a moderate level. Statistically significant differences revealed between as follows: resident physicians and faculty in Macro Control insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.02);, Controllability insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.38);, and perception of the control of COVID-19 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.022);; males and females insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.009); along with resident physicians and faculty insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.023); in the behavioral avoidance attitudes from COVID-19; resident physicians and faculty in attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.034);. Conclusion: COVID-19 was perceived as dangerous and contagious among ophthalmologists. The perception of the control of COVID-19 was stronger among faculty than resident physicians. Females and faculty developed higher behavioral avoidance attitudes from COVID-19. Faculty exhibited less negative attitudes than resident physicians towards the COVID-19 vaccine. These assessments could shed light on our path in combating the disease, both in the COVID-19 pandemic and in future outbreaks.
Keywords : Attitude, COVID 19, ophthalmologists, pandemic, perception

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