Two years after COVID 19 pandemic: Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practices among a sample of Egyptian adults-a web-based questionnaire

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease pandemic is still ongoing, and infection rates are still fluctuating, despite a very effective vaccination campaign in Egypt. Although there is an understandable and strong desire for "normality" to return, we must continue our efforts to increase public acceptance of continuing preventative measures and reduce vaccine reluctance, therefore it is crucial to measure the population's general knowledge, attitudes and practices about the disease. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of Egyptian adults (516 persons). A web-based questionnaire designed by staff members; with a snowball sampling technique, was used for data collection. Results: Two-thirds (65.1%) of respondents were women, and aged 18 to 30. The majority of participants (83.9%) were graduates and 74.6% were not married. Urban residents made up 72.3% of participants and almost half of the sample was unemployed (52.5%). Of the 516 respondents, 92.2% were vaccinated and 51.4% did not get infected with covid-19. The tested sample showed an overall 73% knowledge score and an overall 50% attitudes, and practice score. The factor that was sustained through the multivariate regression analysis for the parameter affecting knowledge was higher educational level, and married people and those with better knowledge score for the practices and attitude. Conclusion: Amongst this escalating hazard of contagious viral diseases, our study might provide a guide for health education during these critical chaotic situations. It is crucial to increase the knowledge and to make the targeted community well-equipped, especially the less educated ones, as the pandemic continues to evolve. To reach the rural residents, community collaborative activities are needed.

Keywords Attitudes, Coronavirus, Knowledge, Practices, Web-based Survey