Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladeshi people: An online-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

In Bangladesh, an array of measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. Such general population control measures could significantly influence perception, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. Here, we assessed KAP towards COVID-19 immediately after the lock-down measures were implemented and during the rapid rise period of the outbreak. Online-based cross-sectional study conducted from March 29 to April 19, 2020, involving Bangladeshi residents aged 12-64 years, recruited via social media. After consenting, participants completed an online survey assessing socio-demographic variables, perception, and KAP towards COVID-19. Of the 2017 survey participants, 59.8% were male, the majority were students (71.2%), aged 21-30 years (57.9%), having a bachelor's degree (61.0%), having family income >30,000 BDT (50.0%), and living in urban areas (69.8). The survey revealed that 48.3% of participants had more accurate knowledge, 62.3% had more positive attitudes, and 55.1% had more frequent practices regarding COVID-19 prevention. Majority (96.7%) of the participants agreed COVID-19 is a dangerous disease, almost all (98.7%) participants wore a face mask in crowded places, 98.8% agreed to report a suspected case to health authorities, and 93.8% implemented washing hands with soap and water. In multiple logistic regression analyses, COVID-19 more accurate knowledge was associated with age and residence. Sociodemographic factors such as being older, higher education, employment, monthly family income >30,000 BDT, and having more frequent prevention practices were the more positive attitude factors. More frequent prevention practice factors were associated with female sex, older age, higher education, family income > 30,000 BDT, urban area residence, and having more positive attitudes. To improve KAP of general populations is crucial during the rapid rise period of a pandemic outbreak such as COVID-19. Therefore, development of effective health education programs that incorporate considerations of KAP-modifying factors is needed.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice and Associated Factors towards COVID-19 among College Students in Amhara Region, Ethiopia; A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This study revealed that 56.4% of study participants had a positive attitude towards the prevention and control measures of COVID-19 pandemic. This finding is lower than studies conducted in eight teaching hospitals, Ethiopia (94.7%) [27], Indian medical students (93.7%) [31], Syrian residents (63.5%) [39], Malaysian residents (83.1%) [36], Bangladesh (62.3%) [24], Sudan (81.8%) [38], 10 universities in Shaanxi Province, China (73.8%) [49], Uganda (72.4%) [50], and India (97.3%) [51]. However, this result is higher than the studies conducted in Pakistan (44%) [28], and Makerere University Teaching Hospitals (21%) [25].…”

“…This finding is lower than a study done in Syria (73.8%) [39], Pakistan (80.5%) [44], Sudan (89.9%) [38], students in 10 universities in Shaanxi Province, China (87.9%) [49], Uganda (85.3%) [50]. However, this finding is higher than studies conducted in Debre Birhan University Undergraduate students (49.5%) [34], Bangladesh (55.1%) [24], Pakistan (57.3%) [28]. The differences in the practice of preventive measures could have been subjected to variation in the cut-off values to classify good or poor practice.…”

“…The discrepancy might be due to differences in cut-values used to categorize the knowledge levels, sample size, and sociocultural various between study settings. However, this result is higher than a study conducted in Syrian residents (60%) [39], USA (58%) [40], Bangladesh (48.3%) (57.6%) (10%) [24,41,42], three Middle Eastern countries (66.1%) [43], Makerere University Teaching Hospitals (66%) [25], Pakistan (51.8%) [44]. The differences in level of knowledge have been subjected to variation in the cut-values (i.e.…”

“…Hence, appropriate knowledge, attitude, and practices toward the preventive measures are mandatory to halt the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in countries [18][19][20][21]. However, studies revealed that the communities have shown poor knowledge and negative attitude towards the preventive measures of COVID pandemic [22][23][24]. Besides, the studies conducted across the globe have been investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward the preventive measures of COVID-19 pandemic predominantly focused on health care workers and patients [25][26][27][28].…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with the COVID-19 among slum dwellers resided in Dhaka City: A Bangladeshi interview-based survey

“…Participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the COVID-19 were measured using a total of 28 items structured questions (including 17-item for knowledge, 7-item for attitudes, and 6-item for practices) based on the two prior studies (19,20) Table 2). The correct answer ('True') was coded as 1, while the wrong answer ('False') was coded as 0 (19).…”