Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices related to COVID-19 among People in Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Authors

  • Shalaw Faris Ahmed Surgical Specialist Hospital-Cardiac Center, Ministry of Health, Erbil- Iraq
  • Dara Abdulla Al-Banna Department of Nursing, Tishk International University and Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1514-6590
  • Jamal Kareem Shakor Nursing Department, Darbandikhan Technical Institute, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Sairan Khurshed Nariman College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Ari Ahmed Taha Surgical Specialist Hospital-Cardiac Center, Ministry of Health-Kurdistan Region-Erbil- Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15218/ejnm.2022.03

Keywords:

COVID-19, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Kurdistan Region

Abstract

Background and objective: COVID-19 illness is a serious public health concern worldwide. The people in Iraqi Kurdistan have little knowledge about Coronaviruses. It was noticed that in the Kurdistan Region, the COVID-19 infection was not dealt with as required in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and practice. This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge and attitudes of Kurdish people in addition to their practices concerning COVID-19.
Methods: This study adopted an online cross-sectional survey design and was conducted from March 23 to April 2, 2020, to collect data from Iraqi Kurdistan Region citizens who were asked about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19.
Results: The majority of the study participants were young and male (62.5%). Most respondents (92.9%) were optimistic that the government could take necessary procedures to reduce the risks of COVID-19 infection. Less than half of the participants wore masks and gloves when they left home (41.4%, 45.1% males and females respectively). Most of the participants had good knowledge (74%), and good practice (64.6%), and the vast majority had a positive attitude (98.1%) concerning COVID-19.
Conclusions: Less than half of the participants who got engaged in this study wore masks and gloves whenever they went out. Hereby, the participants are to be provided with an extensive health education program so they can increase their awareness of COVID-19 infection.

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Author Biography

Dara Abdulla Al-Banna, Department of Nursing, Tishk International University and Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Dara Abdulla Al-Banna has MSc degree in Medical-Surgical Adult Nursing from Hawler Medical University (PhD Student). He is an assistant lecturer of nursing at Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq. He teaches different courses including Medical-Surgical Adult Nursing Theory, Lab, and Clinic, Fundamental of Nursing, Basic Life Support (First Aid), Global Health Care, Hospital Management, Professional Ethics, Research Methodology, and Biostatistics. He has more than 15 publications. His current research work is mainly related to Stroke Rehabilitation and Health Administration research. Before pursuing the academic career, he established seven years of experience in the Nursing Care in Emergency Center, Laboratory Responsibility at Conservative department in College of Dentistry at Hawler Medical University, and the Private Clinic. His work involved in establishing the Gasha Medical Institute, Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan Region and International Rescue Committee IRC projects in Erbil Displacement Cumps. It has more than 20 Awards and Prices.

A Board Member of Erbil Journal of Nursing and Midwifery (EJNM)

A Reviewer in Eastern Mediterranean Journal of Health Sciences (WHO)

A Reviewer in Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal (ASTESJ)

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Published

2022-05-30

How to Cite

1.
Ahmed SF, Al-Banna DA, Shakor JK, Nariman SK, Taha AA. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices related to COVID-19 among People in Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Erbil j. nurs. midwifery [Internet]. 2022 May 30 [cited 2024 Apr. 25];5(1):22-9. Available from: https://ejnm.hmu.edu.krd/index.php/ejnm/article/view/184

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