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Knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices of adults toward COVID-19: a population and field-based study from Iran

Author

Listed:
  • Behnam Honarvar

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Kamran B. Lankarani

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Ali Kharmandar

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
    Fasa University of Medical Sciences)

  • Fatemeh Shaygani

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Mohammadhassan Zahedroozgar

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Mohammad Reza Rahmanian Haghighi

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Sulmaz Ghahramani

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Hossein Honarvar

    (Islamic Azad University)

  • Mohammad Mehdi Daryabadi

    (Islamic Azad University)

  • Zahra Salavati

    (Islamic Azad University)

  • Seyed Mohammad Hashemi

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Hassan Joulaei

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
    Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

  • Marziyeh Zare

    (Shiraz University of Medical Sciences)

Abstract

Objectives To determine peoples’ knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices to provide policymakers pieces of field-based evidence and help them in the management of the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods This population-based survey was conducted using multi-stage stratified and cluster sampling in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 1331 persons were interviewed. The questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interviews. Univariable and multivariable (linear regression) data analyses were done using SPSS. Results The participants answered 63% of questions regarding knowledge, and 78% of questions regarding practice correctly. Only, 4.8% knew about common symptoms of COVID-19 and 7.3% about warning signs that require referral to hospitals. Males, lower educated people, and elders had a lower level of knowledge and poorer practices. Knowledge was also lower in the marginalized (socially deprived) people. Knowledge and practices’ correlation was 37%. Overall, 43.6% considered themselves at high risk of COVID-19, and 50% considered it as a severe disease. This disease had negative effects on most participants’ routine activities (69.1%). The participants preferred to follow the news from the national TV/Radio, social networks, and foreign satellite channels, respectively. Conclusions Encouragement of people to observe preventive measures and decreasing social stress, especially among males, lower educated people, elders, and marginalized groups, are highly recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Behnam Honarvar & Kamran B. Lankarani & Ali Kharmandar & Fatemeh Shaygani & Mohammadhassan Zahedroozgar & Mohammad Reza Rahmanian Haghighi & Sulmaz Ghahramani & Hossein Honarvar & Mohammad Mehdi Darya, 2020. "Knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices of adults toward COVID-19: a population and field-based study from Iran," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(6), pages 731-739, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:65:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s00038-020-01406-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01406-2
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    1. Soontaree Suratana & Ratipark Tamornpark & Tawatchai Apidechkul & Peeradone Srichan & Thanatchaporn Mulikaburt & Pilasinee Wongnuch & Siwarak Kitchanapaibul & Fartima Yeemard & Anusorn Udplong, 2021. "Impacts of and survival adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic among the hill tribe population of northern Thailand: A qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Sadiqa, Bibi Aisha, 2023. "Overcoming Vaccine Skepticism in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors towards COVID-19 Vaccination," MPRA Paper 116204, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 25 Jan 2023.
    3. Irina Georgieva & Tella Lantta & Jakub Lickiewicz & Jaroslav Pekara & Sofia Wikman & Marina Loseviča & Bevinahalli Nanjegowda Raveesh & Adriana Mihai & Peter Lepping, 2021. "Perceived Effectiveness, Restrictiveness, and Compliance with Containment Measures against the Covid-19 Pandemic: An International Comparative Study in 11 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Yutong Li & Guangqi Liu & Robert Okia Egolet & Runqing Yang & Yangmu Huang & Zhijie Zheng, 2021. "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to COVID-19 Among Malawi Adults: A Community-Based Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
    5. Hyun-Ok Jung & Seung-Woo Han, 2021. "The Effect of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Korean Correctional Officers about COVID-19 on Job Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-8, July.
    6. Cho Lee Wong & Jieling Chen & Ka Ming Chow & Bernard M.H. Law & Dorothy N.S. Chan & Winnie K.W. So & Alice W.Y. Leung & Carmen W.H. Chan, 2020. "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards COVID-19 Amongst Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-13, October.
    7. Sujarwoto Sujarwoto & Holipah Holipah & Asri Maharani, 2022. "A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning COVID-19 Outbreaks in the General Population in Malang District, Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-16, April.
    8. Carmen Orte & Lidia Sánchez-Prieto & David Caldevilla Domínguez & Almudena Barrientos-Báez, 2020. "Evaluation of Distress and Risk Perception Associated with COVID-19 in Vulnerable Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-12, December.
    9. Gebisa Guyasa Kabito & Mekuriaw Alemayehu & Tesfaye Hambisa Mekonnen & Sintayehu Daba Wami & Jember Azanaw & Tsegaye Adane & Zelalem Nigussie Azene & Mehari Woldemariam Merid & Atalay Goshu Muluneh & , 2020. "Community’s perceived high risk of coronavirus infections during early phase of epidemics are significantly influenced by socio-demographic background, in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sect," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, November.
    10. Gento Kato & Susumu Annaka & Masahisa Endo, 2022. "Public reactions toward government-sponsored COVID-19 information in Japan," Working Papers 2202, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    11. Zhiyuan Zheng & Chengyao Liang & Zhuoyang Li & Yugao Wu & Baixue Lin & Jing Fang, 2022. "Mask-Wearing and Handwashing Behaviors of Chinese Rural Residents during the Pandemic of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.
    12. Hana Sonbol & Hadil M. Alahdal & Rasis A. Alanazi & Khawla Alsamhary & Fuad Ameen, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic Causing Depression in Different Sociodemographic Groups in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-11, June.
    13. Lilian Kojan & Laura Burbach & Martina Ziefle & André Calero Valdez, 2022. "Perceptions of behaviour efficacy, not perceptions of threat, are drivers of COVID-19 protective behaviour in Germany," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-15, December.
    14. Nazeer Hussain Khan & Sajid Hassan & Sher Bahader & Sidra Fatima & Syed Muhammad Imran Haider Zaidi & Razia Virk & Kexin Jiang & Enshe Jiang, 2022. "How Daily Obstacles Affect Frontline Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health during Omicron: A Daily Diary Study of Handwashing Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-18, July.
    15. Alak Paul & Dwaipayan Sikdar & Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain & Md Robed Amin & Farah Deeba & Janardan Mahanta & Md Akib Jabed & Mohammad Mohaiminul Islam & Sharifa Jahan Noon & Tapan Kumar Nath, 2020. "Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the novel coronavirus among Bangladeshis: Implications for mitigation measures," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, September.

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