Before and after case reporting: A comparison of the knowledge, attitude and practices of the Jordanian population towards COVID-19

Abstract

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging contagious infectious disease. It is pandemic and has affected more than 21 million people and resulted in more than 750,000 deaths worldwide (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries; 14/08/20). Our research group initiated a study to ascertain the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of Jordanians toward COVID-19 prior to any initial case report in Jordan. This project was underway when the first Jordanian case was reported. We extended our study to identify how case reporting would alter public KAP towards COVID-19. This cross-sectional study randomly selected and recruited 2104 Jordanian adults. A four-section questionnaire was devised to address the sociodemographic characteristics of the subjects and their KAP toward COVID-19. The mean knowledge score for the study population was 15.9 ± 2.2 (out of the 20 knowledge questions), with 60.9% of the participants having good knowledge about COVID-19. Participants' practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19 were adequate in more than 60% of participants. Most participants had positive attitudes regarding their role in preventing COVID-19 and many of the participants' attitudes and practices changed to more appropriate ones after reporting the first case of COVID-19 in Jordan. The percentage of participants who trust the government in confronting COVID-19 increased significantly (p value < 0.001). However, one alarming and unexpected finding was that the prevention practice score of participants working in the medical field was similar to those from the general population. This may necessitate stricter training and guidelines for this group who will be in the frontline in combating the disease. Impact of this study: The data generated from this study shows that when cases of disease were reported, the public's attitudes and practices improved in many aspects, and that confidence in the government to contain the disease was boosted. We believe that this study is important in allowing other, international governments to develop an understanding of public KAP during pandemic disease outbreaks.

Awareness and perception of COVID-19 among the general population: A Middle Eastern survey

“…Such observation seems appropriate as participants with higher degrees are more likely to self-educate themselves. Similar results were demonstrated in the literature among different Middle Eastern countries and China [8,9,19,24,27,30,31]. Finally, younger age seems to statistically correlate with higher treatment, precautionary and transmission scores.…”

“…Post-hoc analysis portrays that females have higher scores in terms of awareness and compliance towards precautionary measurements. This finding supported by a recent study conducted throughout several European countries and Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine [8,9,23,27]. Females tend to display more protective behaviors even in hypothetical conditions similar to that of a pandemic, which was previously documented by a recent Jordanian report on the predictors of health preventive measures [28,29].…”

“…Such recommendations include frequent hand washing, wearing a face mask, self-isolation and social distancing [4]. In early March, both Jordan and Iraq had confirmed their first cases of COVID-19, upon which the aforementioned precautionary measurement were implemented [8,9]. This study aims to assess the awareness and perception of COVID-19 among the general populace in both Jordan and Iraq.…”

COVID-19 Prevention Practices and Associated Factors Among Farmers in Peri-Urban Areas of Northeastern Ethiopia

“…The current result is in line with the research conducted in Egypt, India, Jordan, Bangladesh, Gondar, and Dire Dawa City administration. 5,6,9,10,13,26 Because the elderly have a larger chance of contracting and developing complications from the diseases, they used better preventative strategies. 15 The survey also found that people with a secondary education or higher were 3.1 times more likely to apply good prevention practices than those who could not read or write (AOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4-6.6).…”

“…2,3 COVID-19 is transferred largely by droplets from infected people coughing, sneezing, or speaking, as well as by touching a contaminated surface and then contacting the eyes, nose, or mouth without washing hands. 4,5 COVID-19 manifests itself as cough, fever, malaise, weakness, and shortness of breath. The new virus has sparked widespread alarm around the world because of its great potential for quick spread and the fact that it can be deadly.…”