AUTHOR=Domiati Souraya , Itani Mohamad , Itani Ghida 

TITLE=Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of the Lebanese Community Toward COVID-19

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2020.00542

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2020.00542

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> Distinct measures were adopted in Lebanon to prohibit the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. These actions provide positive results only if the population chooses to be compliant.</p><p><bold>Aim:</bold> Accordingly, this study aimed to reflect the Lebanese population adherence by determining their level of knowledge and practice during this pandemic.</p><p><bold>Method:</bold> A cross-sectional online survey was performed in April 2020. It involved 410 volunteers from the main 5 Lebanese districts. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts; sociodemographic, knowledge, and practice. A score was calculated out of 18 points to evaluate the knowledge of the respondents. The last 8 questions reflected the participants' precautionary methods during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance tests were conducted using SPSS version 20.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 75%. Survey completers of extreme age groups (under 18 and &gt;44), elementary education level, and medical occupation displayed the least level of knowledge compared to other groups (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). Most of the participants showed proactive practices to protect themselves against COVID-19. They covered their mouths (81.2%), threw the used tissues (93.7%), and washed their hands (66.6%) after sneezing or coughing. Moreover, they wore face masks if they were sick (59%) or in a crowded place (79.3%). Concerning Hydroxychloroquine, 10% claimed that they would take it if they have COVID-19 symptoms.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> This survey sheds the light on the fact that one mandatory measure does not fit all the population; there must be a specialized method of prevention for each profession, age group, and area of the country to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19.</p>