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Public knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study

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  • Iqbal, Muhammad Arslan
  • Younas, Muhammad Zeeshan

Abstract

In response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, each country has adopted different measures for its control, for instance, complete lockdown, smart lockdown based on hotspot analysis, and/or strict movement control on their residents. The effectiveness of such controls depends largely on public knowledge, attitude, and practices towards this novel virus. The prime objective of this study is to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of university students and graduates in Pakistan regarding COVID-19. For this purpose, cross-sectional data is collected from 1789 participants through an online survey conducted between July 12 and August 10. The survey instrument consists of demographic characteristics, 13 items on knowledge, 6 items on attitudes, and 3 items on practices, modified from a previously published questionnaire on COVID-19. Our statistical analyses are based on descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The overall correct response rate of the knowledge section is 73%, which is comparatively lower than similar studies in the region. The majority of participants are optimistic about the successful control of COVID-19 in Pakistan, and following the instructions issued by the government of Pakistan. However, a bulk of participants showed skepticism and no trust in the health facilities of hospitals in Pakistan, which could be the potential explanation of falling confirmed cases in Pakistan. In addition, a low knowledge score is found to be significantly associated with low confidence in successful control of COVID-19, and socially undesirable practices. The results suggest an urgent need for health education programs to hold optimistic attitudes and rebuilding of trust of the general public in health facilities in local hospitals to avoid the possible next wave of COVID-19 in Pakistan.

Suggested Citation

  • Iqbal, Muhammad Arslan & Younas, Muhammad Zeeshan, 2021. "Public knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:120:y:2021:i:c:s0190740920322064
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105784
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rebecca K. Britt & Kristen Nicole Hatten, 2013. "Need for Cognition and Electronic Health Literacy and Subsequent Information Seeking Behaviors Among University Undergraduate Students," SAGE Open, , vol. 3(4), pages 21582440135, October.
    2. World Bank, 2020. "World Development Report 2020," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 32437.
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    1. Farhan Ahmed & Aamir Aijaz Syed & Muhammad Abdul Kamal & Maria de las Nieves López-García & Jose Pedro Ramos-Requena & Swati Gupta, 2021. "Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Stock and Commodity Markets Performance and Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of South Asian Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Victor Manuel Peinado-Guevara & Aldo Alan Cuadras Berrelleza & Jaime Herrera-Barrientos & Peinado-Guevara Hector Jose & Samuel Doeg Izaguirre-Gamez & Alejandro Urias-Camacho, 2021. "Knowledge and behavioral attitudes of the academic community of the high school and university levels towards the prevention of covid-19: a cross-sectional study in Guasave, Sinaloa," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Muhammad Muslih & Henny Dwi Susanti & Yohanes Andy Rias & Min-Huey Chung, 2021. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Indonesian Residents toward COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.

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