Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the public play a major role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the KAP of the Chinese public and to assess potential influencing factors related to practices.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China in February 2020 via a self-designed questionnaire comprising 33 questions assessing KAP.ResultsFor the 2136 respondents from 30 provinces or municipalities in China, the accurate response rate for the knowledge section ranged from 72.7 to 99.5%, and the average was 91.2%. Regarding attitude section, the percentage of positive attitudes (“strongly agree” and “agree”) ranged from 94.7 to 99.7%, and the average value was 98.0%. The good practices (“always” and “often”) results ranged from 76.1 to 99.5%, and the average value was 96.8%. The independent samples t-test revealed that gender and ethnic differences had no effect on knowledge, attitude or behaviour (P > 0.05). However, knowledge was associated with age (t = 4.842, p < 0.001), marital status (t = − 5.323, p < 0.001), education level (t = 8.441, p < 0.001), occupation (t = − 10.858, p < 0.001), and place of residence (t = 7.929, p < 0.001). Similarly, attitude was associated with marital status (t = − 2.383, p = 0.017), education level (t = 2.106, p = 0.035), occupation (t = − 4.834, p < 0.001), and place of residence (t = 4.242, p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the factors influencing practices were knowledge (t = − 3.281, p = 0.001), attitude (t = 18.756, p < 0.001), occupation (t = − 3.860, p < 0.001), education level (t = 3.136, p = 0.002), and place of residence (t = 3.257, p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe Chinese public exhibited a good level of knowledge of COVID-19, a positive attitude, and high adherence to good practices. COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes and practices were affected by age, marital status, education level, occupation, and place of residence to varying degrees. In addition, practices were affected by knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19.
Highlights
Since December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, and patients with confirmed disease and those that are infected but asymptomatic are the main sources of infection [1]
The exclusion criteria were 1 unable to fill in the questionnaire due to illness or other reasons and 2 unwilling to participate in the research
Knowledge of the public regarding COVID-19 The accurate response rate for the knowledge section ranged from 72.7% to 99.5%, and the average accuracy rate was 91.2%
Summary
Since December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, and patients with confirmed disease and those that are infected but asymptomatic are the main sources of infection [1]. According to WHO statistics, as of 23 March 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had reached 332, 930 worldwide [2]. Among these cases, 81,601 were in China, and the remaining 251,329 cases were from more than 180 different countries, including Italy, the United States of America, Spain, Germany, and Iran. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the public play a major role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the KAP of the Chinese public and to assess potential influencing factors related to practices
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
