Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey on COVID-19 in Newly Merged
Districts of Khyber Pakhthunkhwa Pakistan.
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.