Page 104 - IJPS-7-2

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

higher knowledge scores (aOR = 1.14), higher attitude scores
(aOR = 1.41), higher COVID-19 fear scores (aOR = 1.10), and
more time spent on COVID-19 information (aOR = 1.91)
were associated with good practice during the COVID-19
pandemic (Table 3, Model 3).

3.5. Stratification by sex
In both groups, the stratified results showed that a higher
household crowding index was significantly associated
with lower knowledge. When considering the acceptable
attitude as the dependent variable, the results showed that
no significant association was found between the variables
Figure 1. Mean difference of the knowledge, attitude, and practice scales and the attitude (P > 0.05 for all).
between males and females Among males, being married was significantly

Christian, being a health care worker, having a university associated with higher knowledge (Table 4a, Model 1).
degree, having a family member working in the medical Taking the practice scale as the dependent variable, the
field, and scoring higher on the fear of COVID-19 scale results showed that high attitude scores (aOR = 2.77) were
were significantly associated with higher attitude scores. significantly associated with higher practice scores while
However, having tested positive for COVID-19, indirect not knowing if they had been an indirect contact with a
contact with COVID-19 patients, higher household COVID-19 patient (aOR = 0.01) which was significantly
crowding index, and higher anxiety scores were related associated with lower practice (Table 4a, Model 3).
to lower attitude scores. Older age, being married, being Among females, not knowing if they had been in
Christian, having a university degree, not working in the indirect contact with COVID-19 patients (aOR = 0.36)
medical field, and fearing COVID-19 were significantly was significantly associated with lower knowledge,
associated with higher practice scores. Furthermore, while having a university degree (aOR = 3.87) was
spending more than 30 min/day on COVID-19 significantly associated with better knowledge (Table 4b,
information, never having tested for COVID-19, never Model 1). Taking the practice scale as the dependent
having tested positive for COVID-19, and having a family variable, the results showed that high attitude scores
member working in the medical field were significantly (aOR = 1.24), better knowledge (aOR = 1.17), higher fear
associated with higher practice scores (Table 2). score (aOR = 1.09)m and spending more than 30 min/day
on COVID-19 information (aOR = 2.25) were significantly
3.4. Multivariable analyses
associated with higher practice scores (Table 4b, Model 3).
The first logistic regression taking knowledge (K) as the
dependent variable in the whole sample showed that a 4. Discussion
university education level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.90) The present study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and
was related to a better knowledge of COVID-19. A higher practices toward COVID-19 using scales validated in the
household crowding index (aOR = 0.41), a higher anxiety Lebanese population. As this study was conducted while the
(aOR = 0.88), and do not know if there was an indirect pandemic was in full swing, people had access to a wealth
contact with a COVID-19 patient (aOR = 0.44) were of information on the topic through various social media
significantly associated with low knowledge of COVID-19 platforms, thus increasing their knowledge. In addition,
(Table 3, Model 1). attitudes toward COVID-19 were vastly influenced by the
The second logistic regression taking acceptable attitude level of disease control in the country, where adequate
(A) as the dependent variable in the whole sample with management of COVID-19 led respondents to have more
knowledge score as a covariate showed that having a family acceptable attitudes and adopt better practices overall.
member working in the medical field (aOR = 1.76) and In this study, married participants working in the medical
higher COVID-19 fear scores (aOR = 1.04) were associated field or with a family member working in the medical field
with a more acceptable attitude toward COVID-19 (Table 3, had high knowledge about COVID-19, while those with a
Model 2). high household crowding index had low knowledge about
The third logistic regression, taking adequate practice COVID-19. Furthermore, participants who had a family
(P) as the dependent variable in the whole sample and member working in the medical field and those with higher
knowledge and attitude scores as covariates, showed that fear of COVID-19 scores had a more acceptable attitude

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2021) 98 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.v7i2.342