Page 100 - IJPS-7-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and COVID-19 in Lebanon

knowledge, attitude, and practice among the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon. Our
findings suggest the need for health education programs tailored differentially according to sex, taking into account
education, age, and socioeconomic status to raise awareness of COVID-19 and promote more acceptable attitudes and
sustained safe practices among the general Lebanese population.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Fear of COVID-19; General population

1. Introduction According to the literature, people are more likely to practice
prevention if they have confidence in its effectiveness, have
Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, coronavirus disease a good level of knowledge and awareness of the disease,
(COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading disease that led to a and perceive the risks (Lin et al., 2014, Brug et al., 2004,
global public health issue classified as a pandemic in March Aburto et al., 2010). Previous findings indicate that a higher
2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO) (WHO, level of knowledge is associated with the use of prevention
2020). In September 2022, the WHO which declared that strategies and behaviors and subsequent better attitudes
the end of the pandemic is now in sight (United Nations, Afzal et al., 2020; (Papagiannis et al., 2020; Tamang et al.,
2022). In Lebanon, the first confirmed COVID-19 case was 2020). Moreover, fear of the consequences of the pandemic
reported on February 21, 2020 (Bizri et al., 2020), and on and the perception of risks are crucial in decision-making
March 10, the first coronavirus-related death was recorded. to halt disease progression and transmission (Baldassarre
On March 15, the Lebanese government declared a state of et al., 2020). Lessons from the SARS epidemic in 2003 in
medical emergency to control and curb the rapid spread of China show that people’s lower attitudes and knowledge
the COVID-19 outbreak in the country (Bizri et al., 2020). of infectious illnesses are related to more panic feelings,
As of November 30, 2022, the total of COVID-19 deaths making preventative efforts more difficult (Zhong et al.,
in Lebanon was 10,736 from a total number of 1,220,443 2020).
reported cases (WHO, 2022).
Furthermore, contagious disease propagation rates
Public health and social interventions are required to might vary depending on several demographic and
prevent disease transmission. Several measures were adopted, socioeconomic characteristics and aspects of health-
such as the ban on public gatherings and the closures of care system of a society (Buja et al., 2020). Public health
borders (the airport, seaports, and land entrances), daycare systems should identify these factors to provide reliable
centers, schools, universities, nightclubs, pubs, gyms, theaters, information that can guide mitigation strategies since
malls, restaurants, and public gardens (Bizri et al., 2020). These viruses have deleterious effects on the economy and health
measures were successful in handling the pandemic at its (Buja et al., 2020). The latter can be significantly affected
beginning. However, people’s commitment to these measures, by deteriorated economic situations through lower income
which is influenced by their level of knowledge, attitudes, and and more unemployment, leading to increased morbidity
practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19, is crucial for their and decreased use of private health-care services
success (Al-Hanawi et al., 2020). (Musgrove, 2004). For example, poor economic and
It is well known that a confused understanding and a demographic conditions contributed to the spread of the
pessimistic outlook toward an emerging infectious disease Ebola virus through restricted access to food, education,
will contribute to unnecessary worry and chaos, even and adequate living conditions (Mun, 2017).
excessive panic, thus exacerbating the disease outbreak Another notable factor is sex. Indeed, males and
(Blendon et al., 2004). Prior evidence indicates that good females differ in their preventive practices, attitudes, and
public knowledge, behaviors, and practices are crucial for perceptions of COVID-19 (Galasso et al., 2020; Li et al.,
effective pandemic management and disease avoidance 2020). Women seem to be more knowledgeable and have a
(Tooher et al., 2013; Bell, 2004; Lau et al., 2003; Tang & better attitude toward disease preventive measures (Alnakli,
Wong, 2003), such as the 2003 severe acute respiratory 2016; Alshammary et al., 2021; Sultana et al., 2022). They
syndrome (SARS) outbreak (Bell, 2004). Understanding are more likely than men to apply the restrictions and
perception and current practices can help determine the perceive the epidemic as a severe health issue (Galasso
factors that encourage the population to adopt healthy et al., 2020). Men appear to be more ready than women to
practices and responsive behaviors; also, adequate tolerate the disease risks and often have lower estimations
control of COVID-19 relies on community involvement, of COVID-19-related threats (Lewis & Duch, 2021). Thus,
which influences the application of preventive measures. it is decisive to understand the differences in knowledge,

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2021) 94 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.v7i2.342