Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward COVID-19 among Egyptians

Kasemy, Zeinab A.; Bahbah, Wael A.; Zewain, Shimaa K.; Haggag, Mohammed G.; Alkalash, Safa H.; Zahran, Enas; Desouky, Dalia E.

COVID-19 is a public Health Emergency of International Concern. The aim of this work was to assess the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among Egyptians toward COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1st to April 1st, on 3712 participants of different ages and sex. An author designed KAP questionnaire toward COVID-19 administered online and personally was delivered. Satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude and good practice were reported among 70.2%, 75.9% and 49.2% of the participants respectively. Middle-aged participants reported high knowledge and attitude levels with poor practice level (p < 0.001). Females reported high knowledge and practice levels and low attitude (p < 0.001 and p = 0.041 respectively). Despite reporting high knowledge and attitude among urban residents (p < 0.001), practice level was high among rural residents (p = 0.001). Post-graduate education reported the highest levels of KAP (p < 0.001). Rural residents, working and non-enough income participants reported lower level of practice (p < 0.001). Logistic regression was carried out. It was found that unsatisfactory knowledge was associated with low education [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.51–2.56], and of rural residency (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.05–1.41). Negative attitude was associated with not working (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.61–2.35) and not enough income (OR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.10–1.51 respectively). Poor practice is associated with young age (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.94–2.98) and low education (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.37) and not working (OR = 4.95, 95% CI: 4.07–6.02). Satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice were found among the participants. A good knowledge and lower practice level were found among middle-aged, working participants, and participants with insufficient income. The demographic characters associated with KAP could be the cornerstone in directing policy-makers to target the health education campaigns to the suitable target groups.