Author for correspondence
Muhammad Arsalan
Email:
marsalankmc@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of erstwhile FATA
Pakistan area has remained under protracted emergency of conflict and
terrorism and has difficult terrain with hard to reach areas.
Methods: We conducted KAP survey about COVID19 in five NMDs,
aiming at assessing knowledge of population and establishing baseline
for comparison. A total of 1227 respondents (376 adult males, 382 adult
females, 236 adolescent boys and 233 adolescent girls) were interviewed
in 150 locations over a period of five days. Data Instruments were
pretested, and consent of respondents were taken. Multiple choice
options were given to choose from; hence responses have been calculated.
Results: Our results reveal that mean knowledge score was
similar amongst adults and adolescents. However, adult males on average
scored better than the adult females. Overall, 98 % of the study
participants knew about COVID 19 and 92% participants acknowledged
COVID- 19 as a preventable infection. Formal school education and
belonging to district NWTD and SWTD (vs. the reference district Khyber)
were significantly associated with higher knowledge score amongst both
adults and adolescents. In addition, formal school education and adults
belonging to district Kurram, Orakzai and SWTD (vs. the reference
district Khyber) had greater odds of believing that COVID 19 is
preventable.
Conclusion: Our findings confirm that majority of respondents
know about symptoms, spread, prevention, test and treatment related to
COVID 19 which may be attributed to concurrent global, national and
provincial information dissemination campaigns.
Keywords: COVID 19, pandemic, Influenza, KAP, Pakistan, South
Asia, knowledge