Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding chikungunya fever among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in Sichuan Province, China

TL;DR

This study assesses healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding chikungunya fever in China's Sichuan Province, finding significant gaps and the need for better training.

Contribution

The study identifies specific knowledge and practice gaps among healthcare workers in non-endemic regions and highlights the need for targeted training.

Findings

Only 60.90% of healthcare workers had adequate knowledge of chikungunya fever.

Just 34.97% regularly conducted public health education despite high recognition of prevention importance.

Physicians and secondary hospital staff showed significantly higher knowledge levels.

Abstract

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding Chikungunya fever and its influencing factors in non-endemic Sichuan Province, China.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 312 HCWs in August 2025. Data were collected using a structured KAP questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and correlation analyses.

The great scores rates for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 60.90%, 65.38%, and 40.06%, respectively. Knowledge was positively correlated with attitudes (r = 0.403, p < 0.001), and attitudes with practices (r = 0.661, p < 0.001). Knowledge was significantly higher among physicians (OR = 1.607) and secondary hospital staff (OR = 1.901). Senior professional title and 5–10 years of work experience were associated with more positive attitudes. Although most HCWs recognized the importance of prevention (94.88%) and had high learning willingness (90.06%), practical performance was low—only 34.97% regularly conducted public health education.

Significant gaps exist in core knowledge and its translation into practice among HCWs in non-endemic areas. Targeted training, especially for nurses and primary care providers, is urgently needed to enhance outbreak preparedness.

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