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Nationwide Survey in Greece about Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19 during the General Lockdown in April 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Varvara A. Mouchtouri

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Evagelia Agathagelidou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Kleovoulos Kofonikolas

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Xanthi Rousou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Katerina Dadouli

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Ourania Pinaka

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Evi Agathocleous

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lemonia Anagnostopoulou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chrysanthi Chatziligou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eleni P. Christoforidou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Thekla Chalntoupi

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Loukas Kalomoiris

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christina Kapoula

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vasiliki Kokkinou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Aggeliki Constantinides

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Petros Konstantinou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Elina Kostara

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Leonidas Kourentis

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Anastasia Lantou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Georgios Lempidakis

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Polixeni-Natalia Liasidi

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christos Michalakis

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Dorothea Panagiotou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Freideriki Panteliadou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vasileios Papadoulis

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Grigorios Papantoniou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Maria Psatha

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Dimitrios Ragias

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vera Ringa

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Argyro Syrakouli

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Angeliki Skoutari

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Stella Stergiadou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Andreas Theodorou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vasiliki Tzika

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Areti Lagiou

    (Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

  • Theodoros Dardavesis

    (Department of Hygiene, Social-Preventative Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Prezerakos

    (Department of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, Greece)

  • Christos Hadjichristodoulou

    (Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Greek general population toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the lockdown period in April 2020, to examine factors associated with misperceptions and to determine behavioral patterns that may require interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study of the general Greek population ( N = 1858) was conducted. A geographically stratified cluster sampling was implemented. A questionnaire was composed consisting of 35 questions. Data collection took place from 15 April to 2 May 2020. A random-digit dialing survey was conducted by 29 interviewers. Results: The majority of respondents (62.7%) answered ≥12/17 questions correctly. Participants aged 18–44 years, male gender, specific occupations (freelancer, unemployed, housewife, retiree) and those who sought information about COVID-19 from less than two sources received lower aggregated scores on knowledge questions. Regarding attitudes toward future vaccination, 18.9% declared that were against it, while 81.1% that they may consider or will be vaccinated. About 40% were not using a face mask and only 42% washed their hands appropriately. Conclusion: Adjusting information campaigns targeting especially people below 45 years of age can help to sensitize them and realise their role to control the spread. Further targeted surveys are needed to adjust/design prevention campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Evagelia Agathagelidou & Kleovoulos Kofonikolas & Xanthi Rousou & Katerina Dadouli & Ourania Pinaka & Evi Agathocleous & Lemonia Anagnostopoulou & Chrysanthi Chatziligou & Elen, 2020. "Nationwide Survey in Greece about Knowledge, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19 during the General Lockdown in April 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8854-:d:452827
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chin-Hsien Hsu & Hsiao-Hsien Lin & Chun-Chih Wang & Shangwun Jhang, 2020. "How to Defend COVID-19 in Taiwan? Talk about People’s Disease Awareness, Attitudes, Behaviors and the Impact of Physical and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Panagiotis Prezerakos & Katerina Dadouli & Eirini Agapidaki & Christina-Maria Kravvari & Ioanna Avakian & Athanasia-Marina Peristeri & Lemonia Anagnostopoulos & Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Konstantinos N., 2022. "Behavioral and Cultural Insights, a Nationwide Study Based on Repetitive Surveys of WHO Behavioral Insights Tool in Greece Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Acceptance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Sabrina Cipolletta & Gabriela Rios Andreghetti & Giovanna Mioni, 2022. "Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-25, April.
    3. Konstantinos Fotiadis & Katerina Dadouli & Ioanna Avakian & Zacharoula Bogogiannidou & Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Konstantinos Gogosis & Matthaios Speletas & Michalis Koureas & Eleni Lagoudaki & Sofia Ko, 2021. "Factors Associated with Healthcare Workers’ (HCWs) Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccinations and Indications of a Role Model towards Population Vaccinations from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Greece, May 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-12, October.

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