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. 2021 Jun;11(2):186-193.
doi: 10.2991/jegh.k.210109.001. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Assessment of Knowledge, Perceptions and Perceived Risk Concerning COVID-19 in Pakistan

Ayesha Haque  1 , Sadaf Mumtaz  2 , Rafia Mumtaz  3 , Farheen Masood  4 , Hudebia Allah Buksh  5 , Amal Ahmed  6 , Osama Khattak  7
Affiliations

Assessment of Knowledge, Perceptions and Perceived Risk Concerning COVID-19 in Pakistan

Ayesha Haque et al. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of unmatched scale and severity. A continued state of crisis has been met with poor public adherence to preventive measures and difficulty implementing public health policy. This study aims to identify and evaluate the factors underlying such a response. Thus, it assesses the knowledge, perceived risk, and trust in the sources of information in relation to the novel coronavirus disease at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was completed between March 20 and 27, 2020. Knowledge, perceptions, and perceived risk (Likert scale) were assessed for 737 literate participants of a representative sample in an urban setting. We found that respondents' risk perception for novel coronavirus disease was high. The perceived risk score for both cognitive and affective domains was raised at 2.24 ± 1.3 (eight items) and 3.01 ± 1 (seven items) respectively. Misconceptions and gaps in knowledge regarding COVID-19 were noted. Religious leadership was the least trusted (10%) while health authorities were the most trusted (35%) sources of information. Our findings suggest that there was a deficiency in knowledge and high concern about the pandemic, leading to a higher risk perception, especially in the affective domain. Thus, we recommend comprehensive education programs, planned intensive risk communication, and a concerted effort by all stakeholders to mitigate the spread of disease. The first of its kind in the region, this study will be critical to response efforts against current and future outbreaks.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; knowledge; myths; pandemic; perceptions; risk assessment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measures identified by the participants as effective against COVID-19. *Preventive measure according to updated WHO guidelines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participants perception of preventive measures based on myths.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participants rating based on trust in sources of information.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Participants choice for who should lead Pakistan’s response to COVID-19 outbreak.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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