Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards prevention of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among Bangladeshi population

Authors

  • Shah Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Academic Wing, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5069-6718
  • Aysha Akter Academic Wing, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Kazi Fardana Mostary Academic Wing, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Shahnila Ferdousi Microbiology Lab, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Israt Jahan Ummon Disease Control Unit, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Shah Mubdi -Un- Naafi Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Md. Mahbubar Rahman Civil Surgeon Office, Rangpur, Bangladesh.
  • Mir Gazi Md. Nazim Uddin Upazila Health Complex, Shahjahanpur, Bogura, Bangladesh.
  • Sinthia Tasmin Academic Wing, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Mohammad Ahsan Uddin Academic Wing, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Syeda Amina Khaier Lopa Academic Wing, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • SM Sayadat Amin Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Md. Abu Rayhan Miah Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Tarit Kumar Saha Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Mohammad Abdur Rahim Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Shah Monir Hossain Former Director General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v46i2.49015

Keywords:

COVID-19, Social distancing, Stigma, Knowledge deficit

Abstract

Background: Cornonavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11th March 2020. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population towards the COVID-19, play an integral role in determining community’s readiness to engage themselves in government measures including behavioural change in prevention and control of the disease.

Objectives: The study was aimed to determine the knowledge levels, attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 among the Bangladeshi population.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 1549 adult population across Bangladesh including Dhaka city and rural areas during March-April 2020. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire through online, self-administered and face to face interview. The study instrument consisted of 7 items on socio-demographic characteristics, 12 items on knowledge, 4 items on attitudes and 5 items on practices related to COVID-19. Independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression were performed to assess the attitudes and practices in relation to knowledge.

Results: Of the total 1549 study population, 1249 were interviewed online, 194 were self-administered and 106 were through face to face interview. The lowest level of knowledge prevailed among the above 50 years’ age group regarding the disease, which was higher among female (p=0.03), and more among the respondents having education level below graduation (p=0.000; OR=1.6, χ2=17.6). Of the total respondents, 73.5% having negative attitude towards use of face mask, though 69.8% having the appropriate knowledge on mode of transmission of the virus (p=0.000). Though, 51.6% of the study population, having adequate knowledge, but only 52.1% using face mask (p>0.05) and 51.8% practicing hand washing (p>0.05). More than 70.0% respondents having knowledge on social distancing, but only 50.0% was practicing it. Male respondents had 1.5 times more knowledge about the social distancing than the female counterpart (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Public awareness campaign should be enhanced critically focusing the target audience covering the knowledge gaps, motivation for appropriate practices and further improvement of attitudes towards prevention and control of COVID-19 in Bangladesh thus suggested.

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(2): 73-82

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Published

2020-08-01

How to Cite

Rahman, S. M. M., Akter, A., Mostary, K. F., Ferdousi, S., Ummon, I. J., Naafi, S. M. .-U.-., Rahman, M. . M., Uddin, M. G. M. N., Tasmin, S., Uddin, M. A., Lopa, S. A. K., Amin, S. S., Miah, M. A. R., Saha, T. K., Rahim, M. A., & Hossain, S. M. (2020). Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards prevention of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among Bangladeshi population. Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, 46(2), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v46i2.49015

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 2 (2020)

Section

Research Papers

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