Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19 among the Turkish and Malaysian general populations during lockdown: A cross-sectional online survey

Mehmet N. M., Al-Abed A. A. A., GÖKLER M. E., Elengoe A., ÜNAL E., MOLLAHALİLOĞLU S.

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, vol.34, no.4, pp.243-252, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Journal Name: Ethiopian Journal of Health Development
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.243-252
  • Keywords: attitudes and practices, COVID-19, knowledge, Malaysian community, pandemic, Turkish community
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2020, Ethiopian Journal of Health Development. All Rights Reserved.Background: COVID-19 is public health threat across the globe. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Turkish and Malaysian general populations regarding COVID-19 during the lockdown. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional quick survey was conducted online on 01-07 April 2020. Data were collected from samples of the general public in both Turkey and Malaysia. Results: A total of 1,320 people from the two countries participated in the study. In Turkey, only gender and education were demonstrated to have an association with overall knowledge (p˂0.001), while in Malaysia it was shown that age and marital status (p˂0.001) were statistically significant. In Turkey, those who had a good attitude towards COVID-19 were mostly male, married and postgraduates; in Malaysia, females, married those who had completed a middle-school education, and postgraduates demonstrated a good attitude towards COVID-19. In Turkey, 55.3% of study participants wore masks and 90.9% avoided crowded places; in Malaysia, 87.1% wore masks and 93.4% avoided crowded places. Conclusions: Participants had good knowledge about COVID-19, however they also showed misconceptions about COVID-19, especially in relation to its transmission. Participants’ confidence was high and they believe that their country can win the battle against the COVID-19 virus. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(4):243-252]