European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES TOWARD COVID-19 AMONG POPULATION: AN ONLINE-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM SYRIA

Rawaa S. Al-Kayali*, Hussein A. Al-Essa, Abdullah Khouri, Walid Khaddam, Mazen Salloum, Salah Shehade, Ahmad Jaddouh

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which achieved a pandemic status. Adherence toward control measures is affected by knowledge towards disease. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 among the Syrian during the lockdowns period. Methods: It is a web-based cross-sectional study that carried out at the end of June, among Syrian internet users. Self-reported structured questionnaire was used. Participant's demographic characteristics and source of information regarding COVID-19 were analyzed. The association between participant's demographic characteristics and scores regarding knowledge, attitude and practice was tested using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The average age of 4336 participants was 39.9 ±12.2 years. Out of (59.2%) were women, (43.9%) has university degree or higher, 29.7% work in healthcare or medical field, (72.3%) were urban residents and half of them from middle region of Syria. The overall correct rates of knowledge, attitude and practice were 73.7%, 47.3% and 65.8 % respectively. In general, three quarter of participants had good knowledge; half of them had moderate practice and attitude. Females, rural residents and low educated people have lower knowledge about COVID-19. The sources of information for Syrian population about COVID-19 were TV/satellite channels followed by social media. Conclusion: This study suggest that Syrian population exhibit good knowledge, moderate practice and attitude towards COVID-19. Personal protective behavior needs to be improved and strengthened through TV and social media, the mean source of information for Syrian community.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, COVID-19, Syria.