Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning COVID-19 in Nepal

  • Anil Bhattarai Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Kamal Ranabhat Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Bhuvan Saud Janamaitri Foundation Institute of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Suraj Bhattarai Global Health Research and Medical Interventions for Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Kiran Paudel Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Devaka Kumari Acharya Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sangita Tripathi Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sangam Shah Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Nikita Bhatta Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Santa Kumar Das Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v21i1.4635

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) severely affects patients with chronic diseases. Adequate knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to COVID-19 is associated with decrease morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward COVID-19 disease among chronic diseases patients visiting tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among chronic disease patients who visited Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Kathmandu. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patients’ socio-demographic data and perspectives on COVID-19.
Results: Four hundred chronic disease patients participated in the study, with 53.2% female and 46.8% male, and 56.8% of age ≥50 years. Overall, 55.5% of the participants had good knowledge, 56.2% had good practice, and 30.7% had positive attitude towards COVID-19. Younger patients, 18-34 years, were found to have higher odds of having good knowledge compared to other age groups (aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-6.0). The patients with less than average family income and those unable to read and write had lower odds of having positive attitude towards COVID-19 (aOR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9 and aOR: 0.4; 95%CI: 0.2-0.9, respectively). A statistically significant correlation was found between the patients’ knowledge and practice, knowledge and attitude, and attitude and practice (p <0.001).
Conclusions: Nearly half of the chronic disease patients in Nepal had poor knowledge and practice whereas more than two-third had negative attitude towards COVID-19 disease. Older age of the patient was significantly associated with poor knowledge and practice.
Keywords: Attitudes; chronic diseases; COVID-19; knowledge; practice

Published
2023-09-10
How to Cite
BhattaraiA., RanabhatK., SaudB., BhattaraiS., PaudelK., AcharyaD. K., TripathiS., ShahS., BhattaN., & DasS. K. (2023). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning COVID-19 in Nepal. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 21(1), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v21i1.4635
Issue
Vol. 21 No. 1 (2023): Issue 58 Jan-March, 2023
Section
Original Article

Copyright (c) 2023 Anil Bhattarai, Kamal Ranabhat, Bhuvan Saud, Suraj Bhattarai, Kiran Paudel, Devaka Kumari Acharya, Sangita Tripathi, Sangam Shah, Nikita Bhatta, Santa Kumar Das

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