<p>Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Cancer Patients Towards COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Central Nepal</p>

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer patients are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection as they are highly immunocompromised. The patients' adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. This study assesses the KAP towards COVID-19 among the admitted cancer patients in Nepal and is first of its kind. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 224 admitted cancer patients in B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal, between April 20 and May 20, 2020, which was the early phase of the lockdown due to COVID-19. The study was conducted via face-to-face interviews taking optimum precautions. The research used a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, cancer-related information, 14 knowledge items, 4 attitude items, and 10 practice items. Independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were used to assess the association of knowledge with demographic characteristics. Results: The overall correct response rate of the knowledge component of the questionnaire was 79.4%. Most of the participants (89.7%) had a positive attitude towards accepting isolation if they had the COVID-19 infection. Only 4.5% reported that they had visited the crowded places recently. More than 98% of the patients were found to be compliant with the recommended preventive behaviors such as using the face mask, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth, washing the hands more than usual, and avoiding close contact with other patients or the caretakers not using the face masks. A total of 21.9% of respondents were using the same face mask for more than 3 days. Male gender, younger age group, and higher education were the positive predictors of knowledge regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: The overwhelming majority of the cancer patients had a good knowledge of COVID-19 and maintained positive attitudes and practice towards it. When tailored health education programs are planned, age, gender, and educational status should be taken into a consideration.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Coronavirus Disease Among Patients Visiting Eye Hospitals of Province Number 2, Nepal

“…There was a significant variation in the knowledge of preventive measures for COVID-19 depending on the district patients came from. A similar study conducted by Sah et al 4 among cancer patients in Nepal reported higher level of awareness of COVID-19 among illiterate participants. We found a significant variation among the participants’ knowledge level based on their educational attainment.…”

“…The knowledge level was higher among participants with higher qualifications. 4 An online survey conducted in the Nepalese community reported similar findings of increased knowledge of COVID-19 among more educated participants. 5 Regarding the attitude of participants toward COVID-19, we studied various myths and misconceptions prevalent in the community.…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to the COVID-19 outbreak among Romanian adults with cancer: a cross-sectional national survey

“…In a similar study conducted during the same period in Nepal, more than 98% of cancer patients were found to be compliant with the recommended preventive behaviours, and 94.6% were familiar with the common symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath), despite low levels of formal education and literacy. 22 Better knowledge and practice regarding COVID-19 were observed in cancer patients from Nepal compared with Romania, but the sample of participants included was smaller (224 participants from only one cancer hospital). 22 …”

“… 22 Better knowledge and practice regarding COVID-19 were observed in cancer patients from Nepal compared with Romania, but the sample of participants included was smaller (224 participants from only one cancer hospital). 22 …”

Predictors of Poor Precautionary Practices Towards COVID-19 Among Cancer Patients

“…The concerns and fears, the impact of knowledge, variation in adherence to precautionary measures, avoidance of medical care, preference for virtual visitation and other factors have been reported in different populations. Thus lessons learned from this study could be of benefit to the global oncology community [29][30][31][32][33].…”