Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards COVID-۱۹ in Iran: A Population-Based Study

Background and aims: The novel coronavirus (COVID-۱۹) epidemic has far been the biggest global health threat of the ۲۱st century. Protective measures are still one of the most effective methods for controlling COVID-۱۹. Practicing hygiene and control measures are largely influenced by knowledge and attitude towards COVID-۱۹. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranians towards COVID-۱۹ as well as the demographic factors related to it in April and May, ۲۰۲۰.Methods: The study population in this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, and web-based study included ۳۷۳۶ Iranian individuals who were collected via convenience sampling method. A validated Iranian knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) Questionnaire about COVID-۱۹ was used for collecting the required data. Ordinal multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were applied to analyze data.Results: The majority of participants (۸۸.۱%) had considerable knowledge, the right attitude (۹۱%), and good practices (۹۰.۳%). In the multivariate models, factors related to greater knowledge were age > ۲۰ years (P < ۰.۰۰۱), living in the urban area (P = ۰.۰۳۰), holding a master’s or doctoral degree (P = ۰.۰۴۴), and a moderate financial status (P = ۰.۰۰۱). Females displayed mor positive attitude (P = ۰.۰۳۵). Variables related to more favorable practices were age > ۲۰ years (P < ۰.۰۰۱), and having a good (P = ۰.۰۰۳) or moderate (P = ۰.۰۳۸) financial status.Conclusion: It was concluded that the participants had good knowledge and a positive attitude, as well as adopted sound practices regarding COVID-۱۹. However, this conclusion might not have been generalizable to entire Iranian community; therefore, it was recommended that preventive measures against COVID-۱۹ should receive continued monitoring and emphasis.

کلیدواژه ها:

attitudes ، COVID-۱۹ ، Knowledge ، Practices