Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Latin American countries have been strongly affected by COVID-19. Due to the alarming prevalence of cases, we set out to explore which psychosocial elements may be exerting an influence on the poor compliance with mandatory control measures among the population.OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and susceptibility perception of Latin American population during the coronavirus outbreak.METHOD: We collected data from 600 self-selected participants through a web-based cross-sectional survey evaluating demographic information. The respondents were between 16 to 77 years old. The majority of the participants were female (n= 382), graduated professionals (56.8 %), citizens living in any country in South America (72.2%).RESULTS: Logistic regression showed that knowledge is highly related with age (p=0.010*), attitude is related with marital status (p=0.017*), perception susceptibility is related with education (p=0.049*), marital status (p=0.001**) and occupation (p=0.001**). Our study identified that, although people reported adequate knowledge by identifying expected symptoms and coronavirus transmission process. There is a significant perceived susceptibility to contracting the mentioning virus (57.7%), displaying stigmatized behavior (59.1%), fear of contracting the virus from others (70.2%), and concern regarding serious consequences after the COVID-19 disease (72.3%). Additionally, we found that people distrust National Health administration's response (61.57%), preparedness for the disease (73.8%), and suggesting insufficient measures to deal with COVID-19 disease (61.3%). CONCLUSION: Within the framework of government regulations, it is suggested that guidelines be considered to expand strategies and provide reliable knowledge to facilitate positive attitudes towards protection measures against COVID-19. Communication strategies would serve both to contain psychological reactions and the perception of risk of contagion, as well as educational actions to ensure compliance with public control measures among the population.

Brazilian Portuguese versions and cross-cultural adaptation of two instruments to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the Brazilian population

“…In other words, both can be applied in the same study if the objective is to obtain a complete behavioral overview of a given population in relation to COVID-19. Notwithstanding, the instrument developed by Zhong et al 8 is less complex and quicker to apply than the instrument by Zegarra-Valdivia et al, 9 and can be an interesting tool in studies considering vulnerable and difficult-to-access populations, as well as in broad-based tracking. Our goal was to present different options of tools that can be selected and applied to different objectives and feasibilities, but can also be used combined in the KAP model evaluation, if applicable.…”

“…Correct answers are assigned 1 point and incorrect/unknown responses 0 point. 8 The instrument proposed by Zegarra-Valdivia et al 9…”

“…Another relevant instrument was also proposed in 2020 by Zegarra-Valdivia et al, for use in Latin-American populations. 9 According to those authors, the questions included in the instrument were adapted and modified from previously published literature on behavioral factors in the context of viral epidemics. 8,9 In view of the lack of instruments based on KAP theory, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic and available in Portuguese, in addition to the relevance and urgency in conducting national studies on the behavior of the population in the face of the pandemic, the present brief communication aims to propose two complementary instruments 8,9 adapted for the Brazilian population that allow the use of KAP theory in future studies on the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.…”

“…The susceptibility scale assesses the stigmas of the disease, preventive measures, problems generated by the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, consequences of the pandemic in people's lives, feelings generated by the disease and feelings about the end of the pandemic. Moreover, the instrument addresses some types of fears, such as having contact with people coming from abroad, health professionals or taxi drivers and eating outside the home.The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instruments occurred at different stages 9. First, two qualified, independent translators performed the initial translation (Brazilian Portuguese version) of both instruments.…”

“…English (original) and final Brazilian Portuguese versions of the instrument proposed by Zegarra-Valdivia et al9 to assess knowledge, attitude and practice about COVID-19 Go to areas / countries affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) 3. Touching objects or surfaces that have been in contact with someone who has the virus 4.…”