Assessment of the knowledge, attitude, and practices of frontliners toward community-acquired pneumonia in the Cagayan, Philippines

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at elevated risk of respiratory infections due to their close proximity to patients and exposure to respiratory secretions. Despite the high prevalence and significant impact of (Community-acquired pneumonia) CAP, there is limited information on how well front-liners adhere to prevention and control measures, influenced by their (Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices) KAP. A cross-sectional study via a validated questionnaire was conducted involving 385 randomly selected front liners. The results indicated a low level of knowledge regarding the cause and transmission of CAP, with a categorical mean of 59.08%. Although most respondents correctly identified that CAP is caused by bacteria, awareness of other transmission methods was moderate to low. Knowledge about clinical manifestations of CAP was moderate, with high recognition of common symptoms but significant gaps in awareness of less obvious signs. Respondents demonstrated a moderate understanding of CAP treatment and management, particularly regarding the use of antibiotics and preventive measures like vaccination and hand hygiene. The correlation analysis revealed weak but significant relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices, suggesting that while knowledge influences attitudes and practices, other factors also play crucial roles. These results suggest that enhancing knowledge could positively influence attitudes and practices. The study underscores the need for targeted educational programs to improve the KAP of front liners regarding CAP, which is crucial for effective infection control and prevention in healthcare settings.