Abstract
BackgroundThe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionsAlbeit 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.
Highlights
The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has created havoc globally as countries worldwide struggle to combat this pandemic
This eventually led to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on 30th January 2020 and subsequently a global pandemic on 11th March 2020 [2]
An adaptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Pakistan from 1st to 12th June 2020 to assess their knowledge, attitude and perceptions regarding COVID-19.The Ethical Review Committee of Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan approved the study protocol before the initiation of the formal survey
Summary
The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has created havoc globally as countries worldwide struggle to combat this pandemic. The rapidly evolving outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has proven to be a matter of utmost concern amongst global authorities, as countries worldwide struggle to combat this pandemic. As the world is thoroughly well-connected via trade, business and travel, the virus has since managed to affect 212 countries and territories worldwide This eventually led to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on 30th January 2020 and subsequently a global pandemic on 11th March 2020 [2]. High prevalence and no definite treatment has created unimaginable challenges in the lower middle income countries (LMIC) where extended periods of lockdowns along with the lack of infrastructure, under- resourced healthcare and weak financial governance has led to crippling economies, escalating unemployment rates and an ever increasing burden on healthcare
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