Abstract
We aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the new coronavirus in a sample of the general Pakistani population. This survey was carried out through The University of Faisalabad (TUF), Pakistan, between February 2020 and April 2020. The questionnaire was circulated on various online platforms to gather information. The data were analyzed on SPSS-22. Out of 2121 respondents (13.7% were male, and 86.3% were females), 7.4% were married, 4.5% had a high income, and 5.8% had fewer family members. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) knowledge scores were significantly low in the < 21 years age group as compared to the 21 to 25 years age group (P < 0.001) and > 25 years age group (P < 0.001). The males, married community, high income people, and few family members groups had significantly higher coronavirus knowledge than their respective groups (P = 0.033; P = 0.001; P < 0.001; P = 0.042, respectively). Our findings suggest that the knowledge score among our study population was not up to the mark. However, a positive correlation between the correct knowledge and appropriate attitude and practice was found among study participants. Older age groups and the high income group were associated with adequate knowledge scores.
Highlights
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious condition and is declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).[1]
A post hoc analysis showed that COVID-19 knowledge scores were significantly low in the < 21 years age group as compared with the 21 to 25 (P < 0.001) and > 25 years age group (P < 0.001)
Our findings suggest that knowledge score among our study population was not up to the mark
Summary
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious condition and is declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).[1]. In Pakistan, an early estimation shows that it is spreading rapidly, and up until now, there are 341 070 confirmed cases and 19 492 deaths.[3]. The virus’s ability to reproduce and transmit is estimated through R0 value (basic reproductive number), and recent research indicates that coronavirus has an R0 average value of around 3.28 with a median of 2.79.5 A recent study found an asymptomatic ratio of 41.6% according to screening results obtained from their general population.[6] As the asymptomatic cases are high, this iceberg of the disease is mainly responsible for the threat to immunocompromised and elderly patients. It is vital to break the vicious cycle to avoid exacerbation of the disease.[8]
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