Knowledge and Source of Information on COVID-19 in Dhaka city

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging respiratory infection caused by a member of the coronavirus family, a zoonotic pathogen, was detected initially in late December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and spread worldwide 2 months later. Objectives: To assess knowledge and source of Information on COVID-19, among people having email address of various offices, universities and organizations of Dhaka city. Methods: This was a cross sectional study done among 61 responded for data collection, online tool was prepared using Google’s online platforms (Google form). Data was analyzed using computer software SPSS version 21. Ethical approval was taken from the ethical review committee of the Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS). Results: Among the respondents, 82% were male and 18% female. Majority (95%) were Muslims and all replied correctly that cause of COVID19 disease is virus. COVID19 cases should be immediately isolated, 92% replied correctly. Majority (85%) had knowledge that there is no effective curative treatment for COVID19. Majority (92%) replied correctly the incubation period, highest percentage (98%) had correct knowledge as cough and sneezing to be the mode of transmission. Adults are most vulnerable to develop complications, 20 (33%) were correct. Children <5 years old are vulnerable to develop complications, 36% replied correctly and 92% were correct that elderly are vulnerable to develop complications. Regarding source of information, all most all the respondents (98%) gathered information from online-news-portal, social-media Facebook/Tweeter/YouTube/Instagram/WhatsApp/Viber, mass media–TV/Radio/Newspapers, /Magazines. This study shows that more than half had average level of knowledge on COVID-19. Conclusion: To overcome the deficit of knowledge of the community, more intensive health education program should be arranged to improve their status of knowledge and to lead a healthy COVID-19 free life.