Sanaa Al Ahdab1,2. 1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Rasheed International University for Science and Technology, Ghabagheb, Daraa', Syrian Arab Republic. salahdab@albaath-univ.edu.sy. 2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syrian Arab Republic. salahdab@albaath-univ.edu.sy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effective COVID-19 pandemic management requires adequate understanding of factors that influence behavioral changes. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among Syrians in a post-conflict context. METHOD: A cross sectional web-based survey was conducted on the Syrian residents of 16 years and above. It contains questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) with respect to COVID-19. Participants' demographic characteristics are recorded and analyzed. The study is conducted during the global outbreak of COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 706 participants (female, 444; male, 262) were enrolled. This study included 405 participants aged between 16 and 29, 204 aged between 30 and 49, and 97 aged above 60 years. There were 642 who have a university degree and 61 who have high school degree. Among the participants 253 were students, 316 were employed, 75 work as freelancers, and 62 were unemployed. Results showed that overall knowledge score towards the disease was about 60% (mean score 3.54 ± 1.20; range 0-6). Knowledge scores significantly differed across age groups (P < 0.05), education levels (P = 0.001), and occupations (P < 0.05). Attitude and practice scores were 2.45 ± 0.81 (range 0-4), 5.90 ± 1.52 (range 0-8), respectively. Attitude scores were significantly different between males and females (P < 0.05), whereas practice scores varied significantly across gender (P < 0.05), age groups (P = 0.01), education levels (P = 0.015), occupations (P < 0.05), and according to knowledge score (P = 0.000). Results from multiple linear regression indicated that lower knowledge scores were significantly associated with lower education level (P < 0.05), whereas poor preventive practices were common among male, young and unemployed participants with significance levels of P < 0.01, P = .000, P < 0.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the Syrian residents demonstrate modest knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 at the time of its global outbreak. Efforts should be directed towards raising the awareness of the disease to improve their practices in the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for future epidemics.
BACKGROUND: Effective COVID-19 pandemic management requires adequate understanding of factors that influence behavioral changes. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among Syrians in a post-conflict context. METHOD: A cross sectional web-based survey was conducted on the Syrian residents of 16 years and above. It contains questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) with respect to COVID-19. Participants' demographic characteristics are recorded and analyzed. The study is conducted during the global outbreak of COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 706 participants (female, 444; male, 262) were enrolled. This study included 405 participants aged between 16 and 29, 204 aged between 30 and 49, and 97 aged above 60 years. There were 642 who have a university degree and 61 who have high school degree. Among the participants 253 were students, 316 were employed, 75 work as freelancers, and 62 were unemployed. Results showed that overall knowledge score towards the disease was about 60% (mean score 3.54 ± 1.20; range 0-6). Knowledge scores significantly differed across age groups (P < 0.05), education levels (P = 0.001), and occupations (P < 0.05). Attitude and practice scores were 2.45 ± 0.81 (range 0-4), 5.90 ± 1.52 (range 0-8), respectively. Attitude scores were significantly different between males and females (P < 0.05), whereas practice scores varied significantly across gender (P < 0.05), age groups (P = 0.01), education levels (P = 0.015), occupations (P < 0.05), and according to knowledge score (P = 0.000). Results from multiple linear regression indicated that lower knowledge scores were significantly associated with lower education level (P < 0.05), whereas poor preventive practices were common among male, young and unemployed participants with significance levels of P < 0.01, P = .000, P < 0.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the Syrian residents demonstrate modest knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 at the time of its global outbreak. Efforts should be directed towards raising the awareness of the disease to improve their practices in the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for future epidemics.
Entities:
Keywords:
Attitude and practice; COVID-19; Knowledge; Pandemic; Syria
Authors: Gabriel M Leung; Lai-Ming Ho; Steve K K Chan; Sai-Yin Ho; John Bacon-Shone; Ray Y L Choy; Anthony J Hedley; Tai-Hing Lam; Richard Fielding Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2005-05-02 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Natasha Duell; Laurence Steinberg; Grace Icenogle; Jason Chein; Nandita Chaudhary; Laura Di Giunta; Kenneth A Dodge; Kostas A Fanti; Jennifer E Lansford; Paul Oburu; Concetta Pastorelli; Ann T Skinner; Emma Sorbring; Sombat Tapanya; Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado; Liane Peña Alampay; Suha M Al-Hassan; Hanan M S Takash; Dario Bacchini; Lei Chang Journal: J Youth Adolesc Date: 2017-10-19
Authors: Peeradone Srichan; Tawatchai Apidechkul; Ratipark Tamornpark; Fartima Yeemard; Siriyaporn Khunthason; Siwarak Kitchanapaiboon; Pilasinee Wongnuch; Asamaphon Wongphaet; Panupong Upala Journal: WHO South East Asia J Public Health Date: 2020-09
Authors: Yutong Li; Guangqi Liu; Robert Okia Egolet; Runqing Yang; Yangmu Huang; Zhijie Zheng Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Chee Tao Chang; Ming Lee; Jason Choong Yin Lee; Nicholas Chor Teng Lee; Tsu Yin Ng; Asrul Akmal Shafie; Kah Shuen Thong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-09 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Noelia Rodríguez-Blanco; Sergio Montero-Navarro; José M Botella-Rico; Antonio J Felipe-Gómez; Jesús Sánchez-Más; José Tuells Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-15 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Prince Yeboah; Dennis Bomansang Daliri; Ahmad Yaman Abdin; Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong; Werner Pitsch; Anto Berko Panyin; Emmanuel Bentil Asare Adusei; Afraa Razouk; Muhammad Jawad Nasim; Claus Jacob Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-07 Impact factor: 3.390