Public perceptions of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

This study aims to assess and evaluate the knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, and practices about COVID-19 among different categories of Jordanian people including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. A cross-sectional study is designed using an online survey questionnaire and a five-section questionnaire was devised to address perceptions and attitudes of the participants towards COVID-19. This study was found that more than 80% of the participants had a belief that COVID-19 can be transmitted through direct contact or spreading of air droplets from infected people to healthy ones. Around 15% of pregnant and breastfeeding women realized that the COVID-19 virus could transmit the virus to their babies. Third-fourth of the participants agreed that the elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised people have a higher risk of being infected with COVID-19. In addition, 80% of the participants believed that using paracetamol is a good way of treating COVID-19 or reducing symptoms, while the remaining believed that they should use antibiotics as well as some vitamins to combat COVID-19. Around 70% of the participants have got their information about COVID-19 through social media while others got the information through the Jordanian Ministry of Health official website, other websites, television news, friends, relatives, and colleagues. Participants’ practices to avoid transmission of COVID-19 were adequate in more than 80% of the participants who reported that they should protect themselves as well as their families as a priority. we believe that this study allow other governments worldwide to understand the views of public people in Jordan during pandemic disease outbreaks.