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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences 2022; 14(03): 108-115
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758032
Original Article

Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices among Pakistani Population regarding COVID-19: An Online Survey-Based Study

Mohammad Uzair
1   Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
,
Ahmad Farooq
1   Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
,
Muhammad Arshad
1   Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
,
Usman Waheed
1   Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
,
Rana Hissan Ullah
1   Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
,
Shahid Bashir
2   Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital - Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Aim The study aims to analyze the knowledge, awareness, and practices among the Pakistani population.

Study Method This is an online survey-based study conducted in July 2020 among the general public of Pakistan. Pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire, designed on Google Forms Inc., was used to collect data. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and measurable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) knowledge data. Assessments on participants' attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 included questions on transmission, symptoms knowledge, and preventive measures.

Results Among the survey completers (n = 962) 61% (n = 590) were male and 39% (n = 372) were female. The majority of participants is aged 18 to 25 and belonged to Punjab. The participants had moderate knowledge regarding disease origin, clinical features, symptoms, and prevention. A vast majority of participants had good knowledge of symptoms and prevention measurements. A good number of participants were also practicing precautionary measures. The majority of participants utilize media and government authorities as authoritative sources of information. The population was also satisfied with the information given by the government.

Conclusion Participants have moderate knowledge regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, reflected by a positive attitude and safe practices. There are gaps in knowledge of the virus, its origin, and transmission. Rumors affect the psychology of people, which may lead to the worst situation of panic conditions.

Keywords

COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 - knowledge - prevention - public awareness

Authors' Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and conduct of the study and to the drafting and finalization of the manuscript.


Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of International Islamic University Islamabad.




Publication History

Article published online:
23 November 2022

© 2022. The Libyan Authority of Scientific Research and Technology and the Libyan Biotechnology Research Center. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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