Table 4 Knowledge of health professionals regarding COVID-19 preventive measure in public hospitals, southeast Ethiopia, 2020 (n = 654)

COVID-19 is caused by

Viral

562

86.1

Bacterial

67

10.3

I don’t know

25

3.7

What is the main transmission route of COVID-19

Respiratory droplets and close contact

583

89.3

Water

52

8.0

Food

17

2.6

I don’t know

2

0.2

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19

2–14 days

457

70.0

3–7 days

92

14.1

More than 14 days

101

15.5

I don’t know

4

0.5

Who is susceptible to COVID-19

People are generally susceptible

404

61.9

The old and children

97

14.9

Young adults

69

10.6

People with pre-existing disease

81

12.4

I don’t know

3

0.3

The main clinical manifestations of COVID-19

Fever and dry cough

563

86.1

Fatigue

42

6.4

Sore throat and myalgia

43

6.6

Diarrhea

6

0.8

Patient with underlying chronic disease are at a higher risk of infection

Yes

588

90.0

No

44

6.7

I don’t know

22

3.2

Treatment option for COVID-19

Supportive care

500

76.6

Antiviral treatment provision

113

17.3

No definitive management

37

5.7

I don’t know

4

0.5

WHO recommended duration of handwashing with soap and water

40–60 s

169

25.9

20–30 s

450

68.9

1 h

35

5.2

WHO recommended duration of alcohol hand rub using sanitizer

20–30 s

229

35.1

10 s

307

47.0

20 s

118

17.9

Recommend physical distance

0–1 m

36

5.5

2 and above m

618

94.5