Abstract

Unprecedented measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in India. People’s adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toawards COVID-19. In this study, we investigated Dakshina Kannada residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 during the rapid rise period of the outbreak. An online sample of Dakshina Kannada residents was successfully recruited via the Email on social Media Dakshina Kannada. A self-developed online knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire was completed by the participants. The knowledge questionnaire consisted of 12 questions regarding the clinical characteristics and prevention of COVID-19. Assessments on residents’ attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 included questions on confidence in winning the battle against COVID-19 and wearing masks when going out in recent days. Among the survey completers (n=369), 65.7% were women, 63.5% held a bachelor degree or above, and 56.2% engaged in mental labor. The overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 90%. The majority of the respondents (97.1%) had confidence that Dakshina Kannada can win the battle against COVID-19. Nearly all of the participants (98.0%) wore masks when going out in recent days. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 knowledge score (OR: 0.75-0.90, P<0.001) was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of negative attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-2019. Most Dakshina Kannada residents of a relatively high socioeconomic status, in particular women, are knowledgeable about COVID-19, hold optimistic attitudes, and have appropriate practices towards COVID-19. Health education programs aimed at improving COVID-19 knowledge are helpful for Dakshina Kannada residents to hold optimistic attitudes and maintain appropriate practices. Due to the limited sample representativeness, we must be cautious when generalizing these findings to populations of a low socioeconomic status.