The Information Needs of the Iranian People in the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Health Professionals: A Qualitative Approach (original) (raw)

An Online Investigation of Knowledge and Preventive Practices in Regard to COVID-19 in Iran

2021

BACKGROUND Until now, there was no available study on the knowledge and practice of the people of Iran with regard to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and preventive practices of Iranians toward the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of 925 people who completed an online questionnaire in March 2020. The study used 21 and 14 questions, respectively, to assess the knowledge and preventive practices of the population in regard to COVID-19. Cronbach's alpha was 0.75 for the knowledge scale and 0.71 for the practice scale. To determine the importance of each independent variable in explaining the participant's practice, a multiple regression model was applied. KEY RESULTS The results indicated a moderate level of knowledge and preventive practices in regard to COVID-19 in most of the respondents (56.8% and 56.5%, respectively). According to the multiple regression analysis, knowledge ...

The common concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Explored findings from a qualitative study

2020

Background The first cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported in Iran on February 20, and then the virus spread rapidly in all parts of the country, so that over 95000 positive cases and approximately 6000 deaths have been confirmed in this region until May 1, 2020. Even if measures taken in this respect have had significant impacts on reducing the incidence rate of COVID-19, a large number of other problems have arisen. Following this situation, people have been also drawn against many concerns, especially Iranian population with their own previous socioeconomic and cultural problems. Therefore, this nation-wide project aimed to investigate common concerns regarding COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in Iran from February to March 2020 via an online open-ended questionnaire. The participants were also selected using convenience and snowball sampling methods. As well, the data collection process continued until data saturation w...

Psychosocial challenges and concerns of COVID-19: A qualitative study in Iran

Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine

As the world struggles to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that the psychosocial aspects related to health are attended to in addition to biological aspects. To this end, the present study aimed to explore the challenges and concerns facing people affected by COVID-19. This qualitative study was conducted using the content analysis method. A total of 25 people affected by COVID-19 were selected purposefully and administered semi-structured interviews. The sampling continued until data saturation. Coding and analysis of data were performed simultaneously using the Granheim method. After reviewing codes, checking the consistency and comparing categories, 5 categories, and 15 subcategories were explored. The most important psychosocial challenges of COVID-19 included the lack of accurate and timely dissemination of information, the intensification of economic problems, psychological instability, weakness in social prevention, and the suspension of social rituals. Identif...

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to COVID-19 in Iran: Questionnaire Study

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly growing outbreak, the future course of which is strongly determined by people’s adherence to social distancing measures. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge level, attitudes, and practices of the Iranian population in the context of COVID-19. Methods A nationwide study was conducted from March 24 to April 3, 2020, whereby data were collected via an online self-administered questionnaire. Results Responses from 12,332 participants were analyzed. Participants’ mean knowledge score was 23.2 (SD 4.3) out of 30. Most participants recognized the cause of COVID-19, its routes of transmission, its symptoms and signs, predisposing factors, and prevention measures. Social media was the leading source of information. Participants recognized the dangers of the situation and felt responsible for following social distancing protocols, as well as isolating themselves upon symptom presentation. Participants’ mean practic...

Challenges to manage pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Iran with a special situation: a qualitative multi-method study

2021

With the unprecedented expansion of COVID-19 in the world since December 2019, Iran’s health system, like other countries, faced various challenges in managing the disease, which led to numerous experiences and lessons learned. This study was conducted to identify these challenges regarding unique political, economic, and cultural issues, which could help other countries with similar situations. The present study was performed using a qualitative multi-method approach with a content analysis method. The data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions with 60 key persons who were selected purposefully, including policymakers, health care workers, and affected people by the disease, and the review of all available national reports between February 21, 2020, and March 22, 2021. The data collection and analysis were done simultaneously. Identified critical challenges for the management of COVID-19 in the health system were limited eviden...

COVID-19 Population Survey of Iran (COPSIR) study protocol: Repeated survey on knowledge, risk perception, preventive behaviors, psychological problems, essential needs, and public trust during COVID-19 epidemic

Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran, 2020

Background: The worldwide emergence and rapid expansion of COVID-19 emphasizes the need to assess the knowledge gap and to predict the disease-related behaviors and reactions during this epidemic. Methods and design: COVID19 Population Survey of Iran (COPSIR) is a repeated cross sectional survey that will be conducted in 8 waves. In each wave, 515 Iranian adults aged 18 years or older will be randomly selected and interviewed by phone. The study waves will be performed at approximately weekly intervals. The survey tool is adapted from COSMO (COVID-19 Snapshot MOnitoring) study. This study will provide information on trends of knowledge, risk perception, preventive behaviors, psychological problems, essential needs, and public trust among Iranian adults during COVID-19 epidemic. Discussion: The key findings of each wave will be immediately reported to the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control to set better policies for disease control and prevention. Moreover, if a message is extracted from the results of this study that needs to be communicated to the public, it will be done through the mass media.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward COVID-19 among a Sample of Iranian General Population

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences

BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly spreading around the world. At present (up to July 11, 2020), 255,117 cases and 12,635 deaths due to this disease have been reported in Iran. Following the guidelines recommended for the prevention and control of the disease is the most important approach to combating this global threat. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and fear of the Iranian people in relation to COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 558 Iranian people who entered the study by convenience sampling method. The knowledge, attitude, practice, and fear of the Iranian general population toward COVID-19 were collected using an online 50-items questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample T-test, and bivariate Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The studied subjects were mostly in urban area (81.0%), femal...

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Public Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in a central of Iran

Journal of Education and Community Health, 2021

Aims There is a rapid increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19 throughout the world. The present study aimed to determine people’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 in an Iranian sample. Instruments & Methods This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted on people over 18 years of age in Saveh city, of Iran, in 2020. A multiple-stage sampling method was used. Participants (N=471) completed an anonymous and self-report questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables and KAP. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-tests by SPSS 21. The significance level was considered to be ≤0.05. Findings Of participants, 74.5% did not have accurate knowledge of how the coronavirus is spread. In terms of attitudes, more than 63.2% considered COVID-19 to be a dangerous disease. About 59.6% of participants reported regular use of a mask in the past week. As compared to men, women reported attitudes and practices more aligned with re...

Knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices of adults toward COVID-19: a population and field-based study from Iran

International Journal of Public Health

Objectives To determine peoples' knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices to provide policymakers pieces of field-based evidence and help them in the management of the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods This population-based survey was conducted using multi-stage stratified and cluster sampling in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 1331 persons were interviewed. The questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interviews. Univariable and multivariable (linear regression) data analyses were done using SPSS. Results The participants answered 63% of questions regarding knowledge, and 78% of questions regarding practice correctly. Only, 4.8% knew about common symptoms of COVID-19 and 7.3% about warning signs that require referral to hospitals. Males, lower educated people, and elders had a lower level of knowledge and poorer practices. Knowledge was also lower in the marginalized (socially deprived) people. Knowledge and practices' correlation was 37%. Overall, 43.6% considered themselves at high risk of COVID-19, and 50% considered it as a severe disease. This disease had negative effects on most participants' routine activities (69.1%). The participants preferred to follow the news from the national TV/ Radio, social networks, and foreign satellite channels, respectively. Conclusions Encouragement of people to observe preventive measures and decreasing social stress, especially among males, lower educated people, elders, and marginalized groups, are highly recommended.