Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Factors Associated with Perception of Risk and Knowledge of Contracting the Novel COVID-19 among Adults in Bangladesh: Analysis of Online Surveys

Version 1 : Received: 2 July 2020 / Approved: 5 July 2020 / Online: 5 July 2020 (08:10:36 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Abir, T.; Kalimullah, N.A.; Osuagwu, U.L.; Yazdani, D. .-A.; Mamun, A.A.; Husain, T.; Basak, P.; Permarupan, P.Y.; Agho, K.E. Factors Associated with the Perception of Risk and Knowledge of Contracting the SARS-Cov-2 among Adults in Bangladesh: Analysis of Online Surveys. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5252. Abir, T.; Kalimullah, N.A.; Osuagwu, U.L.; Yazdani, D. .-A.; Mamun, A.A.; Husain, T.; Basak, P.; Permarupan, P.Y.; Agho, K.E. Factors Associated with the Perception of Risk and Knowledge of Contracting the SARS-Cov-2 among Adults in Bangladesh: Analysis of Online Surveys. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 5252.

Abstract

COVID-19 is an infectious disease spreading through human touch. This study explored the risk perception and knowledge towards COVID-19 infection among Bangladeshi adult participants. Two self-administered online surveys were administered at two different time points from 26-31 March 2020 (Early lockdown) and 11-16 May 2020 (Late lockdown) through social media on 1005 respondents (322 and 683 participants, respectively) during COVID-19 lockdown period in Bangladesh. Univariate and multiple linear regression models were used to examine factors associated with risk perception and knowledge towards COVID-19. The mean knowledge (8.4 vs. 8.1, P=0.022) and risk perception (11.2 vs. 10.6, P < 0.001) scores differ significantly between early and late lockdown. Compared to the early lockdown period, the scores for perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 decreased significantly while public knowledge about COVID-19 was lower but not statistically significant. Female participants who practiced high quarantine particularly those who did so at the public health order during the lockdown reported increased knowledge towards the spread of COVID-19 and perceived high risk of contracting COVID-19. Education intervention using awareness to increase public knowledge and perception towards COVID-19 in Bangladesh should target male participants who practiced low quarantine and are less worried about the spread of such novel coronavirus even as the physical distancing persists.

Keywords

COVID-19; Knowledge; Perception of Risk; Pandemic Outbreak; Disease Control; Cross-sectional Study

Subject

Social Sciences, Cognitive Science

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