Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among the General Population During COVID-19 Outbreak in Iran: A National Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Abstract

Background: Emerged in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the largest pandemics ever. During the early phase, little was known about public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) relating to coronavirus disease. This study was designed to determine KAP of Iranians toward COVID-19.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in Iran from February 25 to April 25 using a self-administered questionnaire on 1,480 people. COVID-19-related KAP questions were adapted from other internationally validated questionnaires specific for infectious diseases.Results: All participants were aware of COVID-19. When asked unprompted, 80% of respondents could correctly cite fever, difficulty in breathing, and cough as signs/symptoms of COVID-19. Most of our sample population knew that staying at home and isolated (95.3%) as well as constant handwashing and using disinfectants (92.5%) could prevent COVID-19. However, there were also widespread misconceptions such as the belief that COVID-19 can be transmitted by wild animals (58%) and by air (48.3%). Unprompted, self-reported actions taken to avoid COVID-19 infection included handwashing with soap and water (95.4%), avoiding crowded places (93%), cleansing hands with other disinfectants (80.), and covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (76.1%). The Internet and social media (94.5%) were the main coronavirus information sources. However, the most trusted information sources on coronavirus were health and medical professionals (79.3%). The majority of participants (77.0%) wanted more information about coronavirus to be available.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that people's knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 at the time of its outbreak was at a high level.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Regarding the COVID-19 Outbreak in Côte d’Ivoire: Understanding the Non-Compliance of Populations with Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

“…Among the underprivileged and vulnerable population groups, the dissemination of health education via indigenous languages should be intensified [ 20 ]. Furthermore, in the context of lack of communication and knowledge around recovered patients, awareness campaigns should contribute to the reduction of misconceptions and stigma surrounding these individuals in the community [ 17 ]. Despite poor socioeconomic conditions, the level of knowledge related to COVID-19 and the trust of people in the government and the health system are more likely to influence health-related practices such as self-reporting, self-quarantine, physical distancing, and the use of a face mask.…”

“…The level of KAP varies from country to country. In Iran, people’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the disease are at a high level despite the existence of misconceptions about the disease [ 17 ]. Evidence from Korea shows that misconceptions surrounding COVID-19 can be avoided through the promotion of public health knowledge and belief in the efficacy of interventions by health officials and policymakers.…”

Perception of COVID-19 Prevention Methods Efficacy and Intention to Use Among Patients with Chronic Disease in Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Multicentered Cross-sectional Study

“…34 Similarly, a study in Iran indicated that avoidance of attending overcrowded places and hand washing with soap and water were the predominant preventive behaviors. 48 Moreover, hand washing with soap and water are routinely practiced in religious institutions to prevent the current pandemic. 49 In chronic disease patients, health literacy is one of the main determinant factors for execution of COVID-19 preventive behaviors.…”

Myths and conspiracy theories on vaccines and COVID-19: Potential effect on global vaccine refusals

“… 37 In Iran, 73.2% out of 1,480 respondents stated they would accept an approved COVID-19 vaccine if it were to become available. 38 Many factors influence the vaccine acceptance 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 including the vaccine efficacy. In Indonesia, a study found that 93.3% out of 1,359 surveyed respondents would like to be vaccinated with the vaccine that has a 95% efficacy but it dropped to 67.0% when the vaccine has 50% efficacy only.…”