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MAROCOVID: Snapshot Monitoring of Knowledge and Perceptions of Safety Behaviors during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Morocco

Author

Listed:
  • Imane Berni

    (Cluster of Competency “Health and Environment”, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco
    These authors contributed equally to this work and are co-first authors.)

  • Aziza Menouni

    (Cluster of Competency “Health and Environment”, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco
    Environment and Health Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    These authors contributed equally to this work and are co-first authors.)

  • Younes Filali Zegzouti

    (Cluster of Competency “Health and Environment”, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco)

  • Marie-Paule Kestemont

    (Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium)

  • Lode Godderis

    (Environment and Health Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium)

  • Samir El Jaafari

    (Cluster of Competency “Health and Environment”, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco)

Abstract

To assess whether knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic predicted changes in behaviors among the general Moroccan population, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 30 March and 20 April involving a total of 14,157 participants. The statistical analysis of the data included univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Our results suggest that less than ten days after the Moroccan government announced “Health state of Emergency” response to the COVID-19 outbreak, public knowledge, attitude and responses to the pandemic were relatively high. More than half the respondents (63.2%) reported that they complied with more than five of nine recommended safety measures, including avoiding going out (93.2%), and frequent handwashing with soap and water (78.2%). Factors associated with an increased likelihood to adopt safety measures included perceptions that COVID-19 was a human health risk, the pandemic will continue for a long time, availability of clear information, and a lack of medicine. The largest predictor of safety behavior change was age; participants older than 55 were more likely to adopt recommended safety behaviors. Although knowledge and perception among the general public was reasonable, more encouragement from government via health education programs is needed to maintain appropriate behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Imane Berni & Aziza Menouni & Younes Filali Zegzouti & Marie-Paule Kestemont & Lode Godderis & Samir El Jaafari, 2021. "MAROCOVID: Snapshot Monitoring of Knowledge and Perceptions of Safety Behaviors during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Morocco," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5745-:d:563250
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Xuewei Chen & Hongliang Chen, 2020. "Differences in Preventive Behaviors of COVID-19 between Urban and Rural Residents: Lessons Learned from A Cross-Sectional Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-14, June.
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    2. Kuo-Wei Hsu & Jen-Chih Chao & Ching-Yi Hsu, 2021. "Environmental Risk Perception and Preventive Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Central Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.

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