Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on COVID-19 among the general population in most affected districts of Nepal

PLOS Global Public Health · 7 authors, 6 centres

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TL;DR

A cross-sectional survey of 702 adults in Nepal found that while knowledge of preventive practices was high (93.3%), knowledge of overall COVID-19 symptoms was low (32%). The study also found that preventive practices declined after lockdown compared to during lockdown, and KAP varied by socio-demographic factors like education, occupation, and residence.

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847 CHARS

This cross-sectional questionnaire study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 among 702 adults from eight most-affected districts in Nepal. The study used convenient non-probability sampling and analyzed data with descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and logistic regression. The central results indicate that 93.3% of respondents had knowledge of overall preventive practices, but only 32% had knowledge of overall symptoms of COVID-19. Regarding attitudes, only 14.3% strongly believed the pandemic would end soon. Preventive practices like hand washing and mask use were reported as high but were observed to decrease after the lockdown period compared to during the lockdown. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve knowledge of symptoms and sustain preventive behaviors.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

public health

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AI pipeline

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10381065

Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on COVID-19 among the general population in most affected districts of Nepal

PLOS Global Public Health

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ABSTRACT

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the global health challenges in the current context. In Nepal, the first confirmed case was reported on 23 January 2020, and since then, it has resulted in several negative impacts, including economic disruption and deterioration of physical and mental health. In such a pandemic, it is indispensable to understand the knowledge and behavioral patterns of the general population regarding COVID-19. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19 among the general population in most affected districts and its relationship with socio-demographic conditions. The cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population above the age of 18 years from eight districts of Nepal including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Morang, Sunsari, Rupandehi, Chitwan, and Kaski. A convenient non-probability sampling method was considered with total sample size of 702. The questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric statistical tests, and a logistic regression model were used for analysis. The study showed that 93.3% of respondents had knowledge of overall preventive practices, whereas only 32% had knowledge of overall symptoms of COVID-19. Regarding attitudes, only 14.3% strongly believed that the COVID-19 pandemic would end soon. The preventive practice was reduced after the lockdown compared to that of during the lockdown. The respondents with white-collar occupations, high-income, and unmarried were good at KAP. Similarly, highly educated and those residing in urban areas had good knowledge and practice. The study findings will help in the development of targeted programs to improve the general population’s knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19, which is paramount to dealing with the existing pandemic and also such possible future waves of the pandemic.

CITATION EXPORT

Salina Shrestha, Rabin Malla, Sadhana Shrestha et al.. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on COVID-19 among the general population in most affected districts of Nepal. PLOS Global Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001977

AUTHORS

7 · 6 CENTRES

Salina Shrestha, Rabin Malla, Sadhana Shrestha, Pallavi Singh, Jeevan B Sherchand, Ismail Ayoade Odetokun, Ismail Ayoade Odetokun

1Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
3Nepal Red Cross Society, Head Office, Kathmandu, Nepal
4Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, Research Directorate, Kathmandu, Nepal
5Nepal Health Research Council, Government of Nepal, Ethical Review Board, Kathmandu, Nepal
6University of Ilorin, NIGERIA