Title : A cross sectional study to evaluate people knowledge, attitude and practice towards using disinfectants and sanitizers during covid 19 pandemic in bangladesh
Abstract:
The devastating novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide has become a global health crisisThis disease is highly contagious and caused by the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, disinfectants and sanitizers are very effective and readily available preventive agents. In this study, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) levels of Bangladeshi people's were assessed regarding the use of disinfectants and sanitizers during the pandemic Situation. An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the respondents from February 2021 to December 2021. A total number of 410 respondents participated in this survey. Data were analysed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and interpreted. Results revealed that most of the respondents were knowledgeable, had a positive attitude and engaged in beneficial practice. Among the respondents, a significantly higher knowledge and practice score were observed among females (54.1% and 54.4%, respectively) than their counterpart. Moreover, people living in urban areas (75%) had a better attitude than the rural people (25%). In addition, a medium positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = + 0.482), a weak positive association between attitude and practice (r = +0.199), and a weak positive association between knowledge and practice (r = + 0.282) were found. Overall, majority of the respondents had better KAP scores in knowledge and attitude with relatively low scores in practice which indicates some space for betterment.
Key words: COVID-19, KAP, disinfectants, sanitizers
Audience Take Away
In this study, people's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards using disinfectants and sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic were studied. One of the major limitations of these study was that being an online based study, it mostly included participants who were habituated and had access to relevant social media and that caused majority of our study participants to be urban young adults which might not be an absolute representative sample of Bangladeshi population. However, the information from this study can be used as baseline data by the authority to take proper steps in ensuring safer and effective use of disinfectants and sanitizers. The participants had adequate KAP towards the use of disinfectants. Most of the participants were found knowledgeable, had a significant positive attitude and had better practice regarding disinfectant and sanitizer use. But relatively low scores in KAP evaluation were found for a considerable number of participants, which indicated some space for betterment. In addition, inappropriate and/or excessive use of disinfectants could cause serious health hazards. So, more efforts as well as awareness programs are needed on COVID-19 to spread awareness, improve attitude regarding disinfectant use and ensure safe disinfection practices.
