Perception Regarding Knowledge of COVID-19 Prevention in a Sample of a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community in Houston, Texas, USA.

Jenna Zamil,Susan Abughosh,Samina Salim,Sarah Zeidat,Fatin Atrooz,Ghalya Alrousan,Zahra Majd

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010524

Abstract

(1) Background: Knowledge of COVID-19 prevention among communities is the first step towards protective behaviors. The objective of this study was to assess COVID-19 prevention knowledge among a Middle Eastern and North African community in Houston, Texas. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated quantitative survey; survey questions consisted of three parts: COVID-19 specific questions, general health questions, and sociodemographic questions. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine predictors of perception of knowledge on preventing COVID-19 spread. The outcome of interest comprised of “good/excellent” versus “average and below” knowledge. (3) Results: A total of 366 participants (66.39% males) completed the survey. A univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in self-reported COVID-19 prevention knowledge among those with and without health insurance, different ages, level of knowledge, and perceived severity of COVID-19 infection. In the multivariate logistic regression, two predictors were identified: those in the 18–25-year-old group were more likely to have “excellent/good” knowledge on COVID-19 spread compared to the ≥40-year-old group (OR: 6.36; 95% CI: 1.38, 29.34). Those who somewhat agree with knowing how to protect themselves from COVID-19 were more likely to have “excellent/good” knowledge of preventing COVID-19 spread compared to those that neither agree nor disagree or disagree (OR: 7.74; 95% CI: 2.58, 23.26). (4) Conclusions: Younger adults reported higher knowledge of COVID-19 prevention.

Highlights

The catastrophic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the highly contagious infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in more than 5.0 million deaths worldwide, emerging as the most consequential global health crisis since the influenza pandemic of 1918 (WHO, November 2021 [1])
We have focused on immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region residing in Houston, Texas
Younger participants (18–25 years old) demonstrated more knowledge about COVID-19 transmission and prevention than the older age group, an observation which could be explained by the increased use of social media outlets by this group when compared to the older age group

Summary

Introduction

The catastrophic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the highly contagious infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in more than 5.0 million deaths worldwide, emerging as the most consequential global health crisis since the influenza pandemic of 1918 (WHO, November 2021 [1]). The COVID-19 disease is characterized by rapid transmission, fostered by close contact with an infected person [2,3]. Despite the unprecedented national measures in containing the outbreak, the success of prevention efforts is largely dependent on public behavior. Public adherence to preventive measures established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is critical in curbing the spread of the disease. Public adherence is influenced by knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19.

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