Knowledge, attitude and perception of Pakistanis towards COVID-19; a large cross-sectional survey

BMC Public Health

Muhammad Sharjeel Khan¹  Safia Awan²  Zoya Fatima Rizwan Ladiwala³  Ibrahim Zahid³  Omar Irfan⁴  Rubaid Azhar Dhillon⁵  Javaid Ahmad Khan⁶ 

[1] Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine;Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital;Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi;Hospital for Sick Children;Islamic International Medical College;Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Aga Khan University;

关键词: Coronavirus;    Pandemic;    Pakistan;    Attitude;    Perception;    Knowledge;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-020-10083-y

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has created havoc globally as countries worldwide struggle to combat this pandemic. Since prevention and social isolation are known to be the only ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this has created challenges among the lower-middle income countries (LMIC) including Pakistan, as it battles between an under-resourced healthcare, an economic shutdown, and widespread myths and misconceptions. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and perceptions regarding COVID-19 as public understanding is vital to help facilitate the control of this outbreak. Methods A pre-validated online questionnaire was distributed among the general population of Pakistan from 1st to 12th June 2020. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS v25. Adequate knowledge was assigned as a score of > 4 (range: 0–8) and good perception as a score of > 3 (range: 0–5). Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of difference in knowledge and perception of COVID-19 with socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was run to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge and perception. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results A total of 1200 respondents participated in this study with a wide range of age groups and education. Majority of the respondents had adequate knowledge (93.3%) with a mean score of 6.59 ± 1.35, and good perception (85.6%) with a mean score of 4.29 ± 0.82. Significant differences in knowledge and perception were observed among genders, age groups, education and between students and employees in the healthcare and non-healthcare department. A multivariate analysis revealed a higher educational status and female gender to be significant predictors of adequate knowledge and perception. Conclusions Albeit the surge of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, the participants demonstrated an overall adequate knowledge and good perception towards COVID-19. There is a need to follow the preventive protocols and dissemination of correct information through conducting educational interventions that target safe health practices and provide appropriate information on this infection.

【 授权许可】

Unknown