Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey of Tanzanian Residents.

Abstract

Background The Corona Virus Disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health emergency that requires the adoption of unprecedented measures to control its rapid spread. Tanzanians' adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards the disease. This study was carried out to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among residents in Tanzania during the April – May 2020 period of the epidemic. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzes responses of self-selected Tanzanians who responded to an invitation to complete an online questionnaire. Survey Monkey tool was used to develop the questionnaire used for data collection. The survey assessed demographic characteristics of participants as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19. A Chi-square analysis was used to compare proportions. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine differences among age groups, whereas results were considered significant if the p-value was <0.05 Four hundred residents completed the survey. The mean age of study participants was 32 years, and the majority was female (n= 216,54.0%). There were no significant differences in demographic variables). Participants with a bachelor's degree or above (n= 241, had higher scores. Overall, 84.4% (n=338) of participants had good knowledge, which was significantly associated with education level (p=0.001). Nearly all participants (n=384, 96.0%) had confidence that COVID-19 will be eliminated. The majority of respondents (n=308, 77.0%) did not go to a crowded place in recent days. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that males, age-group 16-29 years, and education of secondary or lower (OR = 1.2, CI = 1.3 – 1.5) were significantly associated with lower knowledge score. Our findings revealed good knowledge, optimistic attitudes, and appropriate practices towards preventing COVID-19 infection. Suggesting that community-based health education programs about COVID-19 is helpful and necessary to control the disease.