Edris Kakemam1, Djavad Ghoddoosi-Nejad2, Zahra Chegini3, Khalil Momeni4, Hamid Salehiniya2, Soheil Hassanipour5, Hosein Ameri6, Morteza Arab-Zozani7. 1. Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Public Health, School of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran. 3. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. 4. Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran. 5. Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. 6. Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. 7. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Emerged in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the largest pandemics ever. During the early phase, little was known about public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) relating to coronavirus disease. This study was designed to determine KAP of Iranians toward COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in Iran from February 25 to April 25 using a self-administered questionnaire on 1,480 people. COVID-19-related KAP questions were adapted from other internationally validated questionnaires specific for infectious diseases. Results: All participants were aware of COVID-19. When asked unprompted, 80% of respondents could correctly cite fever, difficulty in breathing, and cough as signs/symptoms of COVID-19. Most of our sample population knew that staying at home and isolated (95.3%) as well as constant handwashing and using disinfectants (92.5%) could prevent COVID-19. However, there were also widespread misconceptions such as the belief that COVID-19 can be transmitted by wild animals (58%) and by air (48.3%). Unprompted, self-reported actions taken to avoid COVID-19 infection included handwashing with soap and water (95.4%), avoiding crowded places (93%), cleansing hands with other disinfectants (80.), and covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (76.1%). The Internet and social media (94.5%) were the main coronavirus information sources. However, the most trusted information sources on coronavirus were health and medical professionals (79.3%). The majority of participants (77.0%) wanted more information about coronavirus to be available. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that people's knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 at the time of its outbreak was at a high level.
Background: Emerged in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the largest pandemics ever. During the early phase, little was known about public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) relating to coronavirus disease. This study was designed to determine KAP of Iranians toward COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in Iran from February 25 to April 25 using a self-administered questionnaire on 1,480 people. COVID-19-related KAP questions were adapted from other internationally validated questionnaires specific for infectious diseases. Results: All participants were aware of COVID-19. When asked unprompted, 80% of respondents could correctly cite fever, difficulty in breathing, and cough as signs/symptoms of COVID-19. Most of our sample population knew that staying at home and isolated (95.3%) as well as constant handwashing and using disinfectants (92.5%) could prevent COVID-19. However, there were also widespread misconceptions such as the belief that COVID-19 can be transmitted by wild animals (58%) and by air (48.3%). Unprompted, self-reported actions taken to avoid COVID-19infection included handwashing with soap and water (95.4%), avoiding crowded places (93%), cleansing hands with other disinfectants (80.), and covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (76.1%). The Internet and social media (94.5%) were the main coronavirus information sources. However, the most trusted information sources on coronavirus were health and medical professionals (79.3%). The majority of participants (77.0%) wanted more information about coronavirus to be available. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that people's knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 at the time of its outbreak was at a high level.
Authors: Ahmed Samir Abdelhafiz; Zeinab Mohammed; Maha Emad Ibrahim; Hany H Ziady; Mohamed Alorabi; Mohamed Ayyad; Eman A Sultan Journal: J Community Health Date: 2020-10
Authors: Hamda Musabbah Alremeithi; Aljazia Khalfan Alghefli; Rouqyah Almadhani; Latifa Mohammad Baynouna AlKetbi Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-07-19