Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward COVID‐19 among Iraqi Adults in Karbala

Objectives: to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice scores regarding COVID-19 in relation to sociodemographic states among the Iraqi adults in Karbala, Methods: This cross-sectional population based interview survey involved 425 Iraqi adult population in Karbala, Iraq between December 2021 and February 2022 using a cluster sampling technique. Closed-ended questionnaire regarding the sociodemographic variables and questions about the knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVD-19. The data were analysed using SPSS software (version 25). The mean scores were calculated, and Independent-samples t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), or Chi-square test (X2) were used to test for differences. Results: The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 80.67%, 54.35%, and 50.83% % of total achievable scores respectively. Females showed significantly higher knowledge attitude, and practice mean scores than males. Higher mean score of attitude was found among 18-25 years of age among those with bachelor’s degree. The unmarried showed higher scores of attitude, and practice than married. Students showed higher attitude score than other occupational groups. Conclusion: Karbala adult population have high knowledge, negative attitude and weak practice in the precautionary measures about COVID-19, with an uneven distribution of behavioral patterns among socio-demographic subgroups. Further research targeting the vulnerable people is recommended so that the health education and communication interventions be ensured according to their needs.