Resumption of School amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preventive Practices among Final-Year Senior High Students at a Technical Institute in Ghana

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant challenges to Ghana’s education system, leading to the closure of schools for months. On 31 May 2020, the government of Ghana took a bold decision based on expert advice to reopen schools for final-year students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, data for students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 are limited. We sought to investigate students’ level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 at Tamale Technical Institute, Ghana. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 final-year students from June to August 2020. A validated questionnaire adapted from previous studies was distributed to the students in their various classes by the researchers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and multivariate logistic regression. All analyses were significant at a p value of less than 0.05. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 21.1 years (SD = 2.67), with more males (72.0%) than females participating in the study. The majority (69.7%) of the students trust traditional media sources, i.e., television and radio to receive COVID-19-related information. Awareness about COVID-19 was high (98.3%), and in total, 62.9% (n = 110) had good knowledge, 58.3% (n = 102) had positive attitudes, and 54.9% (n = 96) had good practices towards COVID-19. Factors associated with knowledge were receiving education on COVID-19 (AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.55) and mother level of education (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.66). Positive attitudes towards COVID-19 were 63% less likely among students who did not receive education on COVID-19 (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.90). Students who received education on COVID-19 exhibited good practice towards COVID-19 than students who did not receive education on COVID-19 (p = 0.014). Conclusion. Final-year students of Tamale Technical Institute possess good knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19. Our findings demonstrate the significant role of health education in improving students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19. We recommend continuous and targeted health education to mitigate the widespread misconceptions about COVID-19 through the use of traditional media such as television and radio.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Patients on COVID-19 Epidemic Attending a Primary Health Care Setting Durban, South Africa

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.2.758 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 68-73

Author(s):

A. M. Hoque ◽

S. Buckus ◽

M. Hoque ◽

A. B. M. Mahbub Alam ◽

M. E. Hoque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Primary Health ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

There is no proven specific treatment or adequate vaccination roll out against COVID-19 infection in South Africa. Optimal infection control measures encompass primary intervention to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Public knowledge, attitude, and practices of dealing with this highly infectious respiratory disease play a vital role in limiting the spread of the infection. Aim was to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices gaps on COVID-19 pandemic for possible health education intervention. The objectives were to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of out-patients attending a primary health care facility. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted. The Student’s t-test and ANOVA test were carried out to determine the different mean scores for knowledge, attitudes and practices. Pearson’s correlation test was conducted to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores. Binary logistic regression was undertaken to determine the predictor of good knowledge, positive attitude, and preventive practices. A total of 345 out-patient attendees participated of which 51% were male. Over half (52%) of respondents were evaluated as having good knowledge, 59% as having positive attitudes and almost all (95%) were practicing prevention of COVID-19. The knowledge of the respondent was correlated with preventive practices (r=.173, p<0.05). Multiple regression showed that respondents in the age groups 35-44 years and 45-54 years were 2.8 times and 5.7 times more likely to have good knowledge respectively. Non-smokers were 79% less likely to have good knowledge (OR=.219, p<0.05). Respondents with no comorbidity were 50% less likely to have good knowledge (OR=.503, p <0.05), when compared to those having co-morbidities. Respondents with the highest level of education was found to be positive predictor of positive attitudes (OR =7.3, p <0.05). Primary Health Care users have poor knowledge, negative attitudes but practiced properly for the prevention of the transmission of COVID-19. Mass education is required to educate communities to improve knowledge and attitudes on COVID-19 epidemic in SA.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Venezuela: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.633723 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Daniela Lucía Mendoza Millán ◽

Fhabián Stevens Carrión-Nessi ◽

Mario Daniel Mejía Bernard ◽

María Victoria Marcano-Rojas ◽

Óscar Daniel Omaña Ávila ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Training ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background: The deterioration of Venezuela's health system in recent years undoubtedly contributes to an increased impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic could inform their medical training and improve their preparedness.Methods: A online national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 26th and May 30th, 2020, to assess KAPs among HCWs in Venezuela.Results: A total of 1,441 HCWs from all 24 regions of the country responded to the survey. The mean age of the HCWs was 44 (SD [standard deviation] 14) years; most were women (66.4%). Most HCWs were specialized doctors (48%), followed by nurses (13%) and resident doctors (12.3%). The majority of HCWs had good knowledge (76.3%), obtained information mainly from scientific literature (85.4%); had negative attitudes (53.6%), felt uncomfortable with their work during the current pandemic (59.8%); and reported appropriate practices (76.9%). However, participation in COVID-19 related training was absent in more than half of the HCWs. Positive attitudes were significantly more frequent in frontline workers than in non-frontline workers (p = 0.001). Bioanalysts, students, and doctors were more likely to have good knowledge; participating in training was a predictor for positive attitudes and older age was an appropriate practice predictor.Conclusions: HCWs, knowledge in Venezuela could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. Strategies should focus on reducing fear and improving attitudes toward the care of COVID-19 patients, as well as the promotion of preventive practices.

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Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Lightning in Bangladesh

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su14010448 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 448

Author(s):

Md. Mostafizur Rahman ◽

Irtifa Alam Nabila ◽

Mohammed Sadman Sakib ◽

Nusrat Jahan Silvia ◽

Muhammad Abdullahil Galib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Kap Survey ◽

Lightning Safety

Despite the significant number of fatalities and injuries, there is currently a lack of data on public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lightning in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards lightning in the country. A total of 1641 individuals participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 65% of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (72.64%) did not receive any warning messages, and small proportions (22.12%) had lightning safety precautions. Individuals with numerous lightning experiences perceived considerably unsafe places against lightning compared to infrequent lightning experiences (p < 0.05). Respondents reported good knowledge (56.06%), positive attitudes (82.27%), and good preventive practices (72.33%). The logistic regression demonstrated that having good knowledge and positive attitudes can help people practice lightning safety. Females demonstrated better lightning attitudes and practices compared to males. In comparison to urban residents, rural residents had poor practices. In addition, individuals’ educational levels might also play a crucial role in preparing them for lightning. Overall, extensive lightning campaign activities combined with effective education are required for the behavioral changes in this lightning-vulnerable society.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Regarding Physical Activity among Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) in Suva, Fiji

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v13n6p91 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 91

Author(s):

Keresi Rokorua Bako ◽

Masoud Mohammadnezhad ◽

Sabiha Khan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Good Practice ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

BACKGROUND: More than 60% of the world’s population is not physically active. Physical inactivity affects all sectors of the population including among healthcare professionals (HCPs). The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding the concept, benefits and health consequences of physical activity (PA) among HCPs in Suva, Fiji. METHODS: This quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted among HCPs in Suva, Fiji between 1 July 2017 and 22 September 2017. All available HCPs including doctors, nurses and paramedics who were willing to take part in the study were included. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the level of KAP regarding PA. Data was analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25. RESULTS: 126 HCPs participated in this study with the majority being female (73.8%), in the age range of 33 – 42 years (47.6%), married (81.7%), from the nursing profession (54.0%) and within 0-5 years of experience (27.0%). The results showed that most of the participants (96.8%) had a high level of knowledge, positive attitudes (100%) and good practice (95%) regarding PA. CONCLUSION: Although the study participants had high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards PA, it is important to promote their practice. Using tailored behavioural change theories that focus on perceived benefits and barriers of PA may help decision-makers to promote PA in the workplace and among HCPs in Fiji.

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Knowledge, attitudes and practices of COVID 19 among Medical Laboratory Professionals in Zambia

10.1101/2020.09.22.20199240 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adon Chawe ◽

Ruth L Mfune ◽

Paul Syapiila ◽

Sharon D Zimba ◽

Pipina Vlahakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Good Practice ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Medical Laboratory ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Medical Laboratory Professionals ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background: COVID-19 is a novel disease that has spread to nearly every country worldwide. Medical laboratory professionals are key in the fight against COVID-19 as they provide confirmatory diagnosis which is the main basis upon which cases are identified and clinical management instituted. Lack of knowledge, poor attitude and unsafe laboratory practices could have negative implications towards the control of COVID-19. We conducted a quick online questionnaire to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical laboratory personnel regarding COVID-19 in Zambia. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study among medical laboratory professionals in Zambia from 10th to 29th June, 2020. Data were collected using google forms and exported to SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Independent predictors of COVID-19 knowledge and practices were determined. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results: A total of 208 medical laboratory professionals participated in the study. There were more males (58.2%) than females. The majority of respondents had good knowledge (84.1%) and practice (75%) regarding COVID-19. Less than half (n=97, 46.6%) reported willingness to participate in a vaccination program. Predictors of good knowledge included; having a Bachelors degree (AOR: 5.0, CI: 1.15-23.9) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 8.83, CI: 2.03-38.4). Predictors of good practice included; having a masters or PhD qualification (AOR: 5.23, CI: 1.15-23.9) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 14.01, CI: 6.47-30.4). Conclusion: Our findings revealed that medical laboratory professionals in Zambia have good knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. However poor practices were observed There is need for continuous professional development (CPD) to ensure that medical laboratory professionals are well informed and aware of best practices to aid in curbing the pandemic. Key words: COVID-19, medical laboratory professions, knowledge, attitude, practice

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

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/10105395211014647 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101053952110146

Author(s):

Ranjan Shah ◽

Sailesh Kumar Mishra ◽

Nisha Jha ◽

Pathiyil Ravi Shankar ◽

Shital Bhandary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Knowledge Level ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Change Communication ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Level Of Satisfaction ◽

And Behavior ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

The present study aims to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 and level of satisfaction with efforts to halt the further spread of the disease among patients visiting eye hospitals in province number 2, Nepal. All eligible patients (n = 1112) presenting during the study period were interviewed using a validated semistructured questionnaire. The level of awareness was significantly associated with educational attainment and district of residence. Different myths and misconceptions regarding COVID-19 were prevalent. Preventive practices against the pandemic were observed by less than 50% of the participants and it varied significantly by education and the district of residence. Health education and behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns are necessary in the eye hospitals in province 2 to improve the knowledge level, address prevailing negative attitudes, and promote preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies in eye hospitals in other provinces in Nepal are required.

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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya

International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies ◽

10.52380/ijpes.2021.8.4.576 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 153-161

Author(s):

Habil OTANGA

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

University Students ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Risk Taking ◽

Low Risk ◽

Basic Knowledge ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of university students towards COVID-19, and further, some personality characteristics that exacerbate the risk of infection. Out of the 300 university students based in Mombasa, Kenya, targeted in the online study, 219 submitted their filled questionnaires. Data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS (v.25). Two-way ANOVA and regression models were used to analyze the data. Findings show high knowledge levels and low-risk behaviors towards COVID-19 but unhealthy attitudes especially among women aged 20-29 who also reported higher extroversion, and positive attitudes towards social interactions during COVID-19. Basic knowledge was predicted by age, gender, extroversion, public self-consciousness, and high-risk perception while advanced knowledge was predicted by basic knowledge. Low-risk perception was predicted by age, basic knowledge, and positive attitudes towards social interaction during COVID-19. Age, extroversion and risk perception predicted attitudes about social interactions. Preventive practices were in turn predicted by gender, risk perception, attitudes towards social interactions, extroversion and lack of premeditation. Findings of the study raise interest about university students’ KAP, underlying personality dynamics that predict risk taking towards COVID-19, and appropriate COVID-19 messaging to affect attitudes.

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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Clinic of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria towards the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research ◽

10.52403/ijhsr.20210403 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 21-33

Author(s):

Boma Awoala West ◽

Josephine Enekole Aitafo ◽

Dango Genesis Bietonka Kalio

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Good Practice ◽

Antenatal Clinic ◽

University Teaching ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

State University ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Rivers State ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices ◽

Good Attitude

Background: COVID-19, a new respiratory infection was declared a global pandemic in 2020. Pregnant women are at risk because of their physiologic and immunologic changes. Preventive measures are essential as there is no definite cure. This study was therefore carried out to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Rivers State University Teaching hospital, Nigeria towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of the hospital over 6weeks. Scores assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices were allocated and graded based on specific stratified demarcations. Results: Two hundred and six respondents (81.4%) were assessed to have good knowledge. Fifty-one (20.2%) had overall good attitude while 67(26.5%) had good practice of preventive measures. The commonest symptoms of COVID-19 recalled were cough 169(27.8%), shortness of breath 153(25.1%) and fever 145(23.7%). Parity, mother’s and spouse’s level of education and occupation were significantly associated with knowledge levels while age of the mothers was associated with the attitude towards COVID-19 infection. Parity, mother’s and spouse’s level of education and occupation were significantly associated with the practice levels. There was an association of good knowledge and good attitude levels with good practice level (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although pregnant women in Port Harcourt generally had good knowledge, majority of them had poor attitude and practice towards the pandemic. We therefore recommend strengthening public health education campaigns (including via antenatal clinic health talks, television and social media), providing evidence-based policies and debunking of wrong beliefs. Key words: COVID-19; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Pregnant women.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Trachoma in Rural Communities of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia: Implications for Prevention and Control

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2020/3270530 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Hailay Gebretnsae ◽

Nega Mamo ◽

Tesfay Teklemariam ◽

Kiros Fenta ◽

Tesfay Gebrehiwet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Health Education ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Northern Ethiopia ◽

Good Practices ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Tigray Region ◽

And Control ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background. Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease which is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world. Trachoma is one of the major health problems in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia. However, knowledge, attitudes, and practices about trachoma are not yet studied in depth. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices on trachoma and its associated factors among rural communities in two districts of Tigay Region, Northern Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia, from May 7–24, 2017. Data were collected on paper based, were entered into Epi Info version 3.5.1, and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results. In this study, a total of 194 respondents were included. The overall level of good knowledge, attitudes, and practices on trachoma was 51%, 49.5%, and 35.6%, respectively. Having ever received health education was significantly associated with good knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.91–8.79) and attitudes (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.02–4.25). Moreover, good knowledge was associated with good practices on trachoma prevention and control (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.46–5.62). Conclusion. Our study implies that areas with high burden of trachoma need to improve communities’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards trachoma prevention and control in order to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. Therefore, health education focused on SAFE strategy should be provided to increase knowledge and changing attitudes that contribute for good practices towards trachoma prevention and control among communities.

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Predictors of misconceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of Saudi population

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243526 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0243526

Author(s):

Mukhtiar Baig ◽

Tahir Jameel ◽

Sami H. Alzahrani ◽

Ahmad A. Mirza ◽

Zohair J. Gazzaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Private Sector ◽

Male Gender ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Saudi Population ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

High Knowledge ◽

Study Participants ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

This study intends to explore the predictors of misconceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of the Saudi population and we also assessed their approaches toward its overall impact. This online cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SA). Participants were approached via social media (SM), and 2006 participants (953 [47.5%] females and 1053 [52.5%] males) were included in this study. SM was the leading source of information for 43.9% of the study participants. Most of the participants had various misconceptions such as “females are more vulnerable to develop this infection, rinsing the nose with saline and sipping water every 15 minutes protects against Coronavirus, flu and pneumonia vaccines protect against this virus.” About one-third of participants (31.7%) had self-reported disturbed social, mental, and psychological wellbeing due to the pandemic. Many participants became more religious during this pandemic. Two-thirds of the study participants (68.1%) had good knowledge scores. Attitudes were highly positive in 93.1%, and practice scores were adequate in 97.7% of the participants. Participants’ educational status was a predictor of high knowledge scores. Male gender and divorced status were predictors of low practice scores, and aged 51–61 years, private-sector jobs, and student status were predictors of high practice scores. Being Saudi was a predictor of a positive attitude, while the male gender and divorced status were predictors of a negative attitude. Higher education was a predictor of good concepts, while the older age and businessmen were predictors of misconceptions. Overall, our study participants had good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices, but several myths were also prevalent. Being a PhD and a Saudi national predicted high knowledge scores and positive attitudes, respectively. A higher education level was a predictor of good concepts, and students, private-sector jobs, and aged 51–61 years were predictors of high practice scores. Study participants had good understanding of the effects of this pandemic.

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