Background Effective COVID-19 pandemic management requires adequate understanding of factors that influence behavioral changes. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among Syrians in a post-conflict context. Method A cross sectional web-based survey was conducted on the Syrian residents of 16 years and above. It contains questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) with respect to COVID-19. Participants’ demographic characteristics are recorded and analyzed. The study is conducted during the global outbreak of COVID-19. Results A total of 706 participants (female, 444; male, 262) were enrolled. This study included 405 participants aged between 16 and 29, 204 aged between 30 and 49, and 97 aged above 60 years. There were 642 who have a university degree and 61 who have high school degree. Among the participants 253 were students, 316 were employed, 75 work as freelancers, and 62 were unemployed. Results showed that overall knowledge score towards the disease was about 60% (mean score 3.54 ± 1.20; range 0–6). Knowledge scores significantly differed across age groups (P < 0.05), education levels (P = 0.001), and occupations (P < 0.05). Attitude and practice scores were 2.45 ± 0.81 (range 0–4), 5.90 ± 1.52 (range 0–8), respectively. Attitude scores were significantly different between males and females (P < 0.05), whereas practice scores varied significantly across gender (P < 0.05), age groups (P = 0.01), education levels (P = 0.015), occupations (P < 0.05), and according to knowledge score (P = 0.000). Results from multiple linear regression indicated that lower knowledge scores were significantly associated with lower education level (P < 0.05), whereas poor preventive practices were common among male, young and unemployed participants with significance levels of P < 0.01, P = .000, P < 0.01, respectively. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that the Syrian residents demonstrate modest knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 at the time of its global outbreak. Efforts should be directed towards raising the awareness of the disease to improve their practices in the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for future epidemics.

Pharmaceutical sector of Syrian Arab Republic before the war was characterized by bold and successful development since the late 1980s. With the beginning of war in the country back in March 2011, momentum has changed significantly. Traumatism, communicable diseases related to morbidity and mortality as well as wound infections became particularly hot public health concern. This relates not only to the direct victims of military conflict but also to the displaced civilians, refugees, and ordinary citizens alike. Evolving legislative framework in Syria since 1980s tolerated dispensing of antibiotics without appropriate prescription. Such practice led to spreading of antibiotic resistance among the local bacteria frequently causing both community-acquired and nosocomial infections. Laboratory findings of resistant bacteria strains among the Syrian refugees in some European countries serve as evidence of concern spreading far beyond Middle East. Practice of self-diagnosis and self-medication with antibiotics by patients themselves and restraint to pharmacist advice is widespread. A number of recommendations is presented to stakeholders to compact antibiotic resistance after the peace is established in the country. The successful implementation of such recommendations is the way to preserve shrinking golden reserve of highly potent antibiotics as it is the last defense line against resistant bacterial strains causing severe life—threatening infections.

BackgroundEffective COVID-19 pandemic management requires adequate understanding of factors that influence behavioral changes. This study aims to assess knowledge attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among the Syrian population in post-conflict context.MethodThis study is based on a cross sectional, web-based survey, conducted among Syrian of 16 years and above. It contains questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the Syrians with respect to COVID-19. Participants’ demographic characteristics are recorded and analyzed. The study is conducted during the global outbreak of COVID-19.ResultsAmong the 706 participants, more than 85% respondents are aware of the main symptoms of COVID-19 infection and 56.2% know that the virus can be transmitted from ill to healthy persons even without fever symptoms. The overall achieved knowledge score towards the disease is about 60% while attitudes and practices score higher at 63.5% and 73.75%, respectively. The results from multiple linear regression indicate lower knowledge scores are significantly associated with lower education level (P<0.05), whereas poor preventive practices are common among male, young and unemployed participants with significance levels of P<0.01, P=.000, P<0.01, respectively.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that Syrians demonstrate modest knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 at the time of its global outbreak. Efforts should be directed towards educating Syrians to improve their practices in the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for future epidemics.

Abstract Background Effective COVID-19 pandemic management requires adequate understanding of factors that influence behavioral changes. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among Syrians in a post-conflict context. Method This study is based on a web-based survey, conducted on Syrians of 16 years and above. It contains questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) with respect to COVID-19. Participants’ demographic characteristics are recorded and analyzed. The study is conducted during the global outbreak of COVID-19.Results Among the 706 participants, more than 85% of respondents are aware of the main symptoms of COVID-19 infection and 56.2% know that the virus can be transmitted from ill to healthy persons even without fever symptoms. The overall achieved knowledge score towards the disease is about 60% while attitudes and practices score higher at 63.5% and 73.75%, respectively. The results from multiple linear regression indicate that lower knowledge scores are significantly associated with lower education level (P<0.05), whereas poor preventive practices are common among male, young and unemployed participants with significance levels of P<0.01, P=.000, P<0.01, respectively. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that Syrians demonstrate modest knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 at the time of its global outbreak. Efforts should be directed towards raising Syrians awareness of the disease to improve their practices in the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for future epidemics.