Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Moroccan cancer patients and their relatives towards the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cancer patients and their relatives regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco.Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire was administrated to 133 adults aged 19 to 70 years old, including 32 cancer patients and 101 people from the relatives of cancer patients.Results: The participants showed a very good level of knowledge (cancer patients (84.6%), relatives (82.7%)) and practice (cancer patients (96.0%), relatives (85%)) regarding covid-19. . A very large proportion of cancer patients (84.4%) were very worried about the virus, compared with only 52.5% of relatives. They were concerned about the potential risk of infection and felt personally exposed (93.8%) to serious complications from COVID-19. The knowledge, attitudes and practices score were significantly associated with age (p=0,018), sex (p=0.002), professional activity (p=0,036), medical insurance (p=0,009), place of residence (p= 0,017), presence or absence of cancer (p=0,000), and perception of the danger of catching COVID-19 (p=0,041).Conclusions: Although the level of knowledge and practices of cancer patients and relatives was very satisfying, disparities between the two groups were still to be noted. Cancer patients go out less and practice more, despite the impact of confinement on their health.