Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Chinese public with respect to coronavirus disease (COVID-19): An online cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become pandemic. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the public play a major role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the KAP of the Chinese public and to assess potential influencing factors related to practices.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China in February 2020 via a self-designed questionnaire comprising 33 questions assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices.Results: For the 2,136 respondents from 30 provinces or municipalities in China, the accurate response rate for the knowledge section was 72.7–99.5%, and the average was 91.2%. In the attitude section, the percentage of positive attitudes (“strongly agree” and “agree”) ranged from 94.7–99.7%, and the average value was 98.0%. The good practices (“always” and “often”) results ranged from 76.1–99.5%, and the average value was 96.8%. The independent samples t-test revealed that gender and ethnic differences had no effect on knowledge, attitude or behaviour (P > 0.05). However, knowledge was associated with age (t = 4.842, p < 0.001), marital status (t=-5.323, p < 0.001), education level (t = 8.441, p < 0.001), occupation (t=-10.858, p < 0.001), and place of residence (t = 7.929, p < 0.001). Similarly, attitude was associated with marital status (t=-2.383, p = 0.017), education level (t = 2.106, p = 0.035), occupation (t=-4.834, p < 0.001), and place of residence (t = 4.242, p < 0.001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the factors influencing practices were knowledge (t=-3.281, p = 0.001), attitude (t = 18.756, p < 0.001), occupation (t=-3.860, p < 0.001), education level (t = 3.136, p = 0.002), and place of residence (t = 3.257, p = 0.001).Conclusions: The Chinese public exhibited a good level of knowledge of COVID-19, a positive attitude, and high adherence to good practices. COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes and practices were affected by age, marital status, education level, occupation, and place of residence to varying degrees. In addition, practices were affected by knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19.

The applicability of basic preventive measures of the pandemic COVID-19 and associated factors among residents in Guraghe Zone

“…The proportion of individuals who have favorable attitude towards COVID-19 prevention methods was 94.2%. This study finding was greater than the study conducted at Nepal was 54.7% [14] and which was less than the study conducted at China (98%) [10]. These discrepancies might be due to the residents' knowledge level, level of health information dissemination, government implementation policies and the residents' adherence towards the prevention methods.…”

“…These include closing schools, restricting use of public transportation, banning large meetings, and suspending sporting and religious gatherings. A state of emergency has been put in effect and staying at home and working from there has been strongly advised [10]. On March 2021, Ethiopia has received 2.184 million doses of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine via the COVAX facility and the country is on immunizing the frontline workers and the most susceptible individuals [11].…”

Practice of people towards COVID-19 infection prevention strategies in Benishangul Gumuz Region, North–West Ethiopia: Multilevel analysis

“…However, this finding was more or less consistent with evidence from Bangladesh reported 55.1% had more frequent practicing COVID– 19 infections prevention strategies [ 12 ]. Moreover, this finding supported by other study conducted in Sierra Lion (74.6%), Amhara region (62%), Northern Ethiopia (67%), China (96.8%), Bangladesh (55.1%), North-central Nigeria (90.46%) and Northwest Ethiopia (52.7%) were frequently practiced COVID– 19 infections prevention strategies [ 11 – 17 ]. However, the proportion of the entire practices level was not as high in contrast to the contagiousness natures of the virus.…”

“…Moreover, there was poor accessibility of water and personal protective equipment in the region. As a result, the level of practice COVID– 19 prevention strategies is lower than developed countries [ 11 ]. In factor, people whose occupational status is “ merchants ” and good community perception ultimately had good practice.…”

Determinants of socio-demographic and environmental barriers in prevention of COVID-19 pandemic

“…With respect to this, the evidence has been obtained consistently that the efficacy beliefs can be significant predictors for the preventive behaviors. [ 27 28 29 30 ]…”