Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in Bangladesh
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Munich Personal RePEc Archive Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in Bangladesh Kazi Abdul, Mannan and Khandaker Mursheda, Farhana Green University of Bangladesh, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology 20 March 2020 Online at https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/99656/ MPRA Paper No. 99656, posted 15 Apr 2020 17:19 UTC
76
Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19)
in Bangladesh
Dr Khandaker Mursheda Farhana1
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
And
Dr Kazi Abdul Mannan
Adjunct Professor
Faculty Business Studies
Green University of Bangladesh
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 and a pandemic on 11 March 2020.
Local transmission of the disease has been recorded in many countries across all six WHO regions. A
poor understanding of the disease among the general people and healthcare workers may implicate in
delayed treatment and the rapid spread of infection. The study aimed to investigate the knowledge and
perceptions of about COVID-19 in Bangladesh. This study is a cross sectional design with mixed
method approach. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed as the Chi-square test was used to
investigate the level of association among variables. A total of 435 completed the study questionnaire,
including (71.26.6%) men and (28.73%) women, and most of them are age range 41-50 years of age
(80.45%). Respondents are doctors (31.18%), medical students (29.88%), public service (7.35%) and
from other professions (30.57%). All of the participants agreed that they heard about COVID-19
(97.8%). Most of them used social media to obtain regarding the COVID-19 information. A significant
proportion of had poor knowledge of its transmission and symptoms onset and showed a positive
perception of COVID-19 prevention and control. Factors such as profession and age are correlated with
inadequate knowledge and poor perception of COVID-19. The findings of this study suggest significant
knowledge gaps between the amount of information available about COVID-19 and the depth of
knowledge among the healthcare personnel and general people, particularly about the mode of
transmission and incubation period of COVID-19. As the global threat of COVID-19 continues to
emerge, it is critical to improving knowledge and perceptions among the general people and healthcare
professionals in Bangladesh.
Keywords: Novel Coronavirus, outbreak, COVID-19, knowledge, perceptions, healthcare
1Contact Email: drfarhanamannan@gmail.com
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh76
INTRODUCTION pneumonia and multi-organ failure (Hui et
al 2020).
The World Health Organization (WHO)
declared the 2019–20 coronavirus The virus is mainly spread between people
outbreak a Public Health Emergency of during close contact (WHO 2020), often
International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 via small droplets produced during
January 2020 (Tait 2020) and a pandemic coughing (Politi 2020), sneezing, or
on 11 March 2020 (WHO 2020).[10] talking (CDC 2020). While these droplets
Local transmission of the disease has been are produced when breathing out, they
recorded in many countries across all six usually fall to the ground or surfaces rather
WHO regions (WHO 2020). As of 10 than being infectious over large distances
March 2020, situation report prepared by (Politi 2020; Bourouiba 2020;
WHO a total and new cases in last 24 hours ECDPC2020)). People may also become
as globally: 153 517 confirmed (10 982 infected by touching a contaminated
new) 5735 deaths (343 new), China: 81 surface and then their face (Politi 2020;
048 confirmed (27 new) 3204 deaths (10 CDC 2020). The virus can survive on
new) and Outside of China 72 469 surfaces for up to 72 hours (WHO 2020).
confirmed (10 955) 2531 deaths (333 new) Coronavirus is most contagious during the
143 countries/territories/areas (09 new). first three days after onset of symptoms,
although spread may be possible before
According to WHO (2020) Novel
symptoms appear and in later stages of the
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is
disease (WHO 2020).
an infectious disease caused by severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 The standard method of diagnosis is by
(SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first real-time reverse transcription polymerase
identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a
the capital of China's Hubei province, and nasopharyngeal swab (CDC 2020). The
has since spread globally, resulting in the infection can also be diagnosed from a
ongoing 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic combination of symptoms, risk factors and
(WHO 2020). U.S. Centers for Disease a chest CT scan showing features of
Control and Prevention (2020) explore pneumonia (CDC 2020; WHO 2020).
that the common symptoms include fever, Recommended measures to prevent
cough and shortness of breath and other infection include frequent hand washing,
symptoms may include fatigue, muscle maintaining physical distance from others
pain, diarrhea, sore throat, loss of smell (especially from those with symptoms),
and abdominal pain. The time from covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue
exposure to onset of symptoms is typically or inner elbow and keeping unwashed
around five days, but may range from two hands away from the face (Salehiet al
to 14 days (Velavan & Meyer 2020) while 2020). The use of masks is recommended
the majority of cases result in mild for those who suspect they have the virus
symptoms, some progress to viral and their caregivers (WHO 2020).
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh77
Recommendations for mask use by the prevention and perceptions toward
general public vary, with some authorities COVID-19. Sufficient time was given to
recommending against their use, some respondents to read, comprehend, and
recommending their use and others answer all the questions.
requiring their use (Feng et al 2020).
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Currently, there is no vaccine or specific
antiviral treatment for COVID-19 (WHO All the collected data was rechecked,
2020). Management involves treatment of coded and entered into a database using
symptoms, supportive care, isolation and SPSS (20.0) software. Appropriate
experimental measures (WHO 2020). statistical analysis was performed such as
the Chi-square test was used to investigate
Bangladesh is a developing country. The
the level of association among variables
two major sectors in the economy of this
where p-value of less than 0.05 was
country are the export of readymade
considered statistically significant.
garments and remittances. China is deeply
involved in the socioeconomic sector in Survey Results
Bangladesh. Since the disease is an
outbreak, experts suspect that it is likely to A total of 435 respondents completed the
be imported into Bangladesh from study questionnaire, including 310
different countries. The basic objective of (71.26.6%) men and 125 (28.73%)
this study is to observe and review the kind women, and most of them are age range
of knowledge and preparedness that the 41-50 years of age (80.45%). Respondents
people of Bangladesh have in the coming are doctors (n=140, 31.18%), medical
days to address such a crisis. students (n=130, 29.88%), public service
(n=32, 7.35%) and from other professions
METHODOLOGY (n=133, 30.57%). All of the participants
agreed that they heard about COVID-19
This study is a cross sectional design with
(97.8%).
mixed method approach. Four hundred
and thirty-five respondents were selected Source of knowledge and information
randomly. The survey instrument
constituted close ended questions and took As COVID-19 is a completely new topic,
approximately 15 minutes to complete when asked about reliable sources of
during the period of 15th February to 15th knowledge and information about it, it can
March 2020. The questionnaire was be seen that the main source of primary
divided into three parts including information about COVID-19 was through
participant characteristics, awareness of social media 71.10% and next segment
COVID-19, and source of information, news media 67.30% which include print
knowledge about symptoms of COVID-19 and electronic media. However, other
effected patients, different modes of sources were about 33.50% of respondents
transmission, precautions and risk said that they use e-government, 22.2%
family and friends, 32.20% religious
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh78
announcements and about 27.40% of information about COVID-19 is shown
respondents sometimes discuss political details in the following Table 1.1.
publicity issues with COVID-19 to get
Table: 1.1 Source of Knowledge about Novel coronavirus
According to the data released by the respondents basically source, remedy and
Internet World Stats (IWS) in January prevention of COVID-19 at the four-point
2020, Bangladesh, the number of Internet Likert scale which shows in the following
users is about 96.19 million, which is Table 1.2. Although no proper information
about 58.40% of the total population and on the source of COVID-19 has been
the only social network Facebook user is found so far, the body of a woman was first
33.71 million. Various studies show that discovered from a wet market in China,
with the use of Facebook among the but research is still being done on how this
people of Bangladesh, they spend a woman's was infected. We know that there
considerable amount of time on religious are different sources of viruses, and
vows, political speeches, educational and different ideas about the source of this
entertainment issues through YouTube. In virus have been published in different
this study, we have found that the ways as some believe it is completely
respondents collect the most information natural and some think it has infected of
using social networks, but 32.2% religious the woman from the wild animal in the
speeches and 27.4% political market. Mass media and social media have
announcements here is other sources emerged that made it into the laboratory.
including YouTube. So one thing to say Those who participated in this study also
from this study is whether the statements had mixed reactions. They first assumed it
of religious and political leaders influence came naturally and 72.1% strongly agreed
the coming days. this way, but the rest contained mixed
reactions. However, in the opinion that
Knowledge about COVID-19
they are skeptical about two different
In this study, we were asked ten questions opinions about its source that more than
about the knowledge among the 70.0% of their beliefs strongly agreed.
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh77
Table 1.2: Knowledge about Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
In case of COVID-19 infection three are they have already advised and agreed to
asked such that it can be transmitted maintain social distance.
through the air, personal contact and fecal-
Up to day, the headache, fever, cough and
oral routes. In this case, 100% of the
sore throat are among the symptoms of
respondents do not have accurate
COVID-19 as far as information is
information about this, most respondents’
available. We know that Bangladesh is a
think of the three ways as infection, but
six-season country and that almost every
about 10% of the respondents do not
season, such symptoms are observed in
believe that the disease can spread through
Bangladesh every year and its prevalence
the above three ways. The population in
is usually higher during May-July period.
Bangladesh almost 160 million and
In this study, 91.4% of participants were
population density is reached around
strongly agreed that the symptoms of
1,265/sq km2, but it is mentioned here that
COVID-19 are primarily manifest in the
the population density in capital Dhaka the
form of common headache, fever, cough
capital city is estimated at about 50,000
and sore throat. Therefore, it can be
per sq km2. Therefore, this study sees an
difficult for people to differentiate
alarming signal of the widespread
between COVID-19 and common
outbreak of future epidemics, as already
headache, fever, cough and sore throat.
all three of the aforementioned ways have
Thus, this study is suspecting in advance
spread the virus which has confirmed by
that if the COVID-19 diagnosis is not
the World Health Organization including
provided for every human being in
other health organization in the world, thus
Bangladesh in a fast and easy way, the
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh77
epidemic could be widespread, disrupting virus spreads quickly across the country, it
the health and medical care system. can be virtually impossible to handle it
officially. On the contrary, the private
So far as we know COVID-19 does not
sector is largely city-centered and at a cost
usually show its symptoms as soon as it
that is not possible for the general public,
enters the human body. Symptoms usually
as well as how much the private sector is
occur within 2-14 days. In this research,
prepared to provide for such a rapidly
91.3% of the participants are well aware of
transmitted new disease, also raises
this. However, in this dormant state, the
considerable questions.
virus is spreading so secretly in the world
that it is able to spread the virus from one In regards of hand hygiene, covering nose
body to another. In the meantime, and mouth while coughing, and avoiding
expatriate Bangladeshis from different sick contacts can help in the prevention of
countries are returning to the country in COVID-19 transmission, local
large numbers. At the airport, only the government and other non-governmental
body temperature of the passengers is organizations, including the World Health
monitored in a limited way, but there is no Organization (WHO), as a result this study
such thing as an overall test. Therefore, finds the majority (72.2%) of the
with the arrival of such a large number of participants of widespread health rule
expatriates, there is considerable potential dissemination, but about one fifth of the
for the virus to spread rapidly in almost participants were not aware at all. While
every region of Bangladesh. this health rule is currently considered to
be most effective in preventing COVID-
COVID-19 sufferers usually lead to leads
19, it is easy to assume that the virus can
to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and
spread very quickly in a chaotic situation,
death, although these are unknown to
especially in public transport in a
doctors or experts. Nevertheless, due to the
populated country like Bangladesh. In that
wide spread of publicity through various
case it is easy to assume that the virus can
media, some ideas have arisen among the
spread very quickly.
common people. This study shows that
only half (53.4%) of respondents were The above statements are particularly
strongly agreed whereas about a quarter divided into four occupations such as
(24.2%) of respondents know nothing Doctor, Medical Students, Public Service
about this fact. For these types of patients, and others for advance analysis as a Chi-
transferring to the intensive care unit square test, the results of which are given
immediately after high-powered oxygen in the table 1.3 below. It is seen that
even becomes necessary for ventilation. COVID-19 is thought to be originated
The medical sector in Bangladesh, from natural; COVID-19 is transmitted
especially in the government-run system, through personnel contact; headache,
is inadequate for the current general fever, cough, and sore throat Symptoms of
patient. In that case, if such a powerful COVID-19; the incubation period of
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh78
COVID-19 (2-14 days) and hand hygiene, statement is significant in the field of
covering nose and mouth while coughing, doctors, medical students and public
and avoiding sick contact can help in the service. COVID-19 is transmitted through
prevention of COVID-19 transmission air and COVID-19 leads to pneumonia,
statements, which are for all occupational respiratory failure, and death, these
respondents significant. COVID-19 is statements are significant only in the case
transmitted through fecal-oral routes, this of doctor and medical students.
Table 1.3: Relationship between respondents’ professional attainment and knowledge
of COVID-19
The hope is that doctors and medical Perceptions about COVID-19
students have basic knowledge of COVID-
When nine statements of Table 1.7 were
19, but there is a lack of knowledge about
presented below to measure respondents'
it among people of other professions. The
perceptions of COVID-19, it is seen that
question now is whether doctors and
most respondents expressed positive
medical students have the proper
opinion of COVID-19 natural curse
knowledge but are quite skeptical about
(71.8%); symptoms appearing in 2-14
the preparations needed to take necessary
days (92.9%); COVID-19 is fatal (66.7%);
measures. On the other hand, the lack of
during the outbreak fresh fruit and
basic knowledge among people of other
vegetable are not safe (53.5%); while the
professions is a question of apathy and
outbreak, eating well-cooked and safely
awareness. Due to their apathy and lack of
handled meat is safe (91.7%); sick patients
awareness, the virus has considerable
should share their recent travel history
potential to spread widely.
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh77
with healthcare providers (61.6%); (81.7). On the contrary, only 18.6% of the
disinfect equipment and wet markets in the respondents gave negative comments on
working area at least once a day (56.4%) the flu vaccinated is sufficient for
and washing hands with soap and water preventing COVID-19 in this statement.
can help prevent COVID-19 transmission
Table 1.4: Perception of the survey respondents
Respondents' perceptions of positive or example, washing hands with soap and
negative outcomes depend on other water can help prevent COVID-19
variables. While most respondents here transmission. The information and data
have positive perceptions, it is important given in the next table 1.5 will provide a
that a portion of them express negative more comprehensive idea of this.
attitudes because we know that the virus is
infected. In this statement, 18.3% of
respondents expressing a negative attitude
is really very risky in the coming days, for
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh77
Table 1.5: Relationship between respondents’ age and perceptions of COVID-19
COVID-19 is a natural curse; During the CONCLUSION
outbreak fresh fruit and vegetable are not
We identified a significant gap
safe; sick patients should share their recent
constituting the source of information,
travel history with healthcare providers;
poor knowledge levels, and discrepancies
and in these perceptions of disinfect
in the perceptions about COVID-19
equipment's and wet markets at least once
among our study participants. The findings
a day, we can see that only among
of this study suggest significant
respondents above the age of forty, that is,
knowledge gaps between the amount of
under the age of forty, they do not want to
information available about COVID-19
be tied to this belief. However, COVID-19
and the depth of knowledge among the
symptoms appear in 2-14 days; during the
healthcare personnel and general people,
outbreak and eating well-cooked and
particularly about the mode of
safely handled meat is safe; and washing
transmission and incubation period of
hands with soap and water can help
COVID-19. Also, many allied healthcare
prevent COVID-19 transmission, these
personnel had inadequate knowledge,
statements are significant for respondents
thought that COVID-19 can be treated
of all ages. But COVID-19 is fatal about
with antivirals, and there is a vaccine
the age of above-sixty who believe, though
available. This is unfortunate, as the surge
COVID-19 is at risk of death for all ages.
of COVID-19 is devastating globally, and
Farhana, KM & Mannan, KA (2020). Knowledge and perception towards Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in
Bangladesh77
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Declaration of Conflicting Interests outbreak in Wuhan, China’.
International Journal of Infectious
The author declared no potential conflicts
Diseases, 91:264–266.
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