Public’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 in the Normalization Stage of Plague Prevention and Control: A Cross-sectional Survey in China

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has been declared a global public health emergency, posing a serious threat to the life and health of the general public. So the aim of this study is to investigate the ability of plague prevention of residents about COVID-19 in the normalization stage of epidemic prevention and control in China, thereby providing reference information for relevant institutions to formulate targeted health education measures. Methods: We designed the KAP for COVID-19 Prevention and Control questionnaire partly based on the COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines published by the National Health Commission of China. The questionnaire was distributed through the Questionnaire Star online survey platform between June 28 and June 31, 2020. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to collect data. The questionnaire link was first sent to subjects through online social platforms such as WeChat and QQ, where they were invited to send the link to their families, colleagues, and friends. Results: The survey involved 314 members of the public. Questionnaire scores were 9.90±1.967 (range: 0~14), 22.97±2.90 (range: 5~25), and 37.64±5.30 (range: 9~45) for participant COVID-19 prevention and control knowledge, attitude and practice, respectively. More than 80% of the participants had good knowledge of the core symptoms, incubation and isolation periods, and three major preventive measures of COVID-19, but only 31.8% of them answered correctly on the main transmission routes of COVID-19. There were errors when they were asked about the treatment measures, with 27.7% of participants believing that using Vedicilin (an oral antiviral liquid) and gargling brackish water can prevent COVID-19. More than 95% of participants believed that the normalization stage of epidemic prevention still requires personal protective measures. Of the participants, 60~64% were able to perform basic preventive behaviors such as wearing a mask when going out, washing hands at home, and going out less frequently, 52.6% could always comply with cough etiquette, and 40.8% could always follow the seven-step hand washing method. Conclusions: During the normalization stage of the COVID-19 plague prevention, the public had incomplete knowledge on latest prevention strategies Although belief was evident, behavioral compliance still needs to be improved. Relevant government departments or medical institutions need to relay relevant knowledge to those in blind spots, and to guide the public to maintain participation in effective and science-based prevention of the novel coronavirus.