tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
PLoS One
. 2021 Apr 22;16(4):e0250461.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250461. eCollection 2021.
Awareness and perception of COVID-19 among the general population: A Middle Eastern survey
Ruba M Jaber[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Baraa Mafrachi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Abdallah Al-Ani[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mustafa Shkara[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Due to the sudden emergence of the novel coronavirus as a worldwide pandemic, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness and practices of both the Jordanian and Iraqi populations during the early stages of the pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between the 19th and 22nd of March to assess the public's awareness toward COVID-19. Multiple scored domains were used to assess the differences between the two populations. Statistical analysis was conducted to reveal the influence of sociodemographic variables on these scores. A total of 3167 participants were recruited in the study, of which, 1599 (50.5%) were from Jordan and 1568 (49.5%) were from Iraq. More than half of the Jordanian (56.8%) and Iraqi participants (53.2%) showed average or adequate awareness about COVID-19. More than 60% of both populations relied on medical staff for COVID-19 related information. Social media was the second most common COVID-19 information source, as it was reported by 53.7% of Jordanian participants and 62.8% of Iraqi participants. More than 90% of both populations participated in precautionary measurements. Finally, about 20% of both populations failed to recognize droplet inhalation as a source of transmission. Despite the portrayed awareness levels, governmental involvement is warranted to increase the public's awareness and fill the gaps within their knowledge.
. 2021 Apr 22;16(4):e0250461.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250461. eCollection 2021.
Awareness and perception of COVID-19 among the general population: A Middle Eastern survey
Ruba M Jaber[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Baraa Mafrachi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Abdallah Al-Ani[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mustafa Shkara[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33886655
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250461
Abstract
Due to the sudden emergence of the novel coronavirus as a worldwide pandemic, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness and practices of both the Jordanian and Iraqi populations during the early stages of the pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between the 19th and 22nd of March to assess the public's awareness toward COVID-19. Multiple scored domains were used to assess the differences between the two populations. Statistical analysis was conducted to reveal the influence of sociodemographic variables on these scores. A total of 3167 participants were recruited in the study, of which, 1599 (50.5%) were from Jordan and 1568 (49.5%) were from Iraq. More than half of the Jordanian (56.8%) and Iraqi participants (53.2%) showed average or adequate awareness about COVID-19. More than 60% of both populations relied on medical staff for COVID-19 related information. Social media was the second most common COVID-19 information source, as it was reported by 53.7% of Jordanian participants and 62.8% of Iraqi participants. More than 90% of both populations participated in precautionary measurements. Finally, about 20% of both populations failed to recognize droplet inhalation as a source of transmission. Despite the portrayed awareness levels, governmental involvement is warranted to increase the public's awareness and fill the gaps within their knowledge.