Knowledge, skill, and preventive behaviors regarding COVID-19 among the public in Shahrekord of Iran

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a serious and costly problem for communities. Observing health issues and performing preventive behaviors is influenced by their knowledge and skills of people toward COVID-19. Hence, this study investigated the knowledge, skill, and practice of the public of Shahrekord toward COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The present study was performed as a cross sectional. Data were collected using an online questionnaire from 540 Shahrekord residents who were selected via convenience sampling in 2020. Knowledge, skill, and practice toward COVID-19 were assessed using a prevalidated questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS-21 software (one-way analysis of variance, Pearson test, and regression test). RESULTS: In this study, 39.1% were male, and 60.9% were female and 46.3% were 20-25 years. The mean score of knowledge, skill, and preventive behaviors was 75.69 ± 17.85, 53.87 ± 27.40, and 59.97 ± 23.79, respectively. There was a significant direct relationship between knowledge and skill (P = 0.05 and r = 081) so that public with more knowledge had a better skill as well. There was a significant association between age (P = 0.036), education level (P = 0.019) , and job (P = 0.014) with knowledge. In addition, a significant association between job (P = 0.027) and marital status (P = 0.014) with skill was observed. Knowledge, skill, and demographic variables predict 37.6% preventive behavior. CONCLUSION: The majority of the participants had good knowledge, moderate skill, and relatively enough practice. Government and policymakers must consider these knowledge levels, skill, and practices to implement productive interventions for preventing the COVID-19.