Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of General Population of Pakistan towards COVID-19 and their Psychological Distress
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v3i2.82Keywords:
COVID-19, Knowledge Attitudes and Practices, Pakistan, Psychological DistressAbstract
The present study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of general population of Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic, and their psychological distress. It was a cross sectional study. Data were collected via demographic datasheet, Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP), a 16-item questionnaire, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). The sample comprised of 791 participants, including both genders and all age groups. Data were collected countrywide, through Google survey form during the months of April and May. Statistical analyses revealed that large percentage of respondents (82.93% and 71.30%) were confident about winning and controlling over COVID-19 situation. As the pandemic related preventive practices concern, a large majority showed compliance with precautionary strategies via wearing mask (84.57%) and restraining themselves from visiting crowded places (92.54 %). Analyses of t-test showed that female participants and people living in a nuclear family system reported more distress as compared to male participants and people living in a joint family system. Gender, age, and family system showed statistically significant relationships with psychological distress. It was concluded that until such time that any remedy to COVID-19 appears throughout the world, there is a need to focus on prevention and control methods. The people need to adopt strategic design of health promotion regarding COVID-19 for a successful health program. It was a preliminary study; more empirical studies are needed to explore and assess the nature and determinants of psychological issues of people during COVID-19 pandemic and psychotherapeutic interventions should be tailored accordingly.
References
Ahmed, M. Z., Ahmed, O., Aibao, Z., Hanbin, S., Siyu, L., & Ahmad, A. (2020). Epidemic of COVID-19 in China and associated Psychological Problems. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102092. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102092 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102092
Albert, P. R. (2015). Why is depression more prevalent in women? Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience: JPN, 40(4), 219–221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.150205
Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive Therapy of the Emotional Disorders. New York: Penguin.
Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberger, R. L. (1985). Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective. New York: Basic Books.
Baqutayan, S. M.S. (2011). Stress and social support. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 33, 29-34. 10.4103/0253-7176.85392. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.85392
Cao, W., Fang, Z., Hou, G., Han, M., Xu, X., Dong, J., & Zheng, J. (2020). The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Research, 112934. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934
Chen, N., Zhou, M., Dong, X., Qu, J., Gong, F., Han, Y., Qiu, Y., Wang, J., Liu, Y., Wei, Y., Xia, J., Yu, T., Zhang, X., & Zhang, L. (2020). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet (London, England), 395(10223), 507–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7
Ehring, T., Razik, S., & Emmelkamp, P. M. (2011). Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and burnout in Pakistani earthquake recovery workers. Psychiatry Research, 185(1-2), 161-166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2009.10.018
Fung, H. H., & Carstensen, L. L. (2006). Goals change when life's fragility is primed: Lessons learned from older adults, the September 11 attacks and SARS. Social Cognition, 24(3), 248-278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/soco.2006.24.3.248
Hussain, M. & Kausar, R. (2010). Psychological distress and coping strategies used by the victims of families of suicide blasts. Unpublished thesis (Masters). Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab.
Jones, J. M., Cheng, T., Jackman, M., Rodin, G., Walton, T. & Catton, P. (2010). Self-Efficacy, perceived preparedness, and psychological distress in women completing primary treatment for breast cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 28(3), 269-90.doi: 10.1080/0734733 1003678352. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07347331003678352
Joob, B., Wiwanitkit, V. (2020). Traumatization in medical staff helping with COVID-19 control. Brain, Behavior and Immunity,1591(20),30356-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.020
Kalodner, C. R. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral theories. In D. Capuzzi & D. R. Gross (Eds.), Counseling and Psychotherapy (p. 193–213). American Counseling Association.
Kang, L., Ma, S., Chen, M., Yang, J., Wang, Y., Li, R., Yao, L., Bai, H., Cai, Z., Xiang Yang, B., Hu, S., Zhang, K., Wang, G., Ma, C., & Liu, Z. (2020). Impact on mental health and perceptions of psychological care among medical and nursing staff in Wuhan during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease outbreak: A cross-sectional study. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 87, 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.028
Karger, A. (2014). Gender differences in depression. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, 57(9), 1092-1098. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-014-2019-z
Kessler, R. C., Andrews, G., Colpe, L. J., Hiripi, E., Mroczek, D. K., Normand, S. L., Walters, E. E., & Zaslavsky, A. M. (2002). Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine, 32(6), 959–976. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291702006074 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291702006074
Lo, C., Zimmermann, C., Rydall, A., Walsh, A., Jones, J. M., Moore, M. J., Shepherd, F. A., Gagliese, L. & Rodin, G. (2010) Longitudinal study of depressive symptoms in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal and lung cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28, 3084–3089. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2009.26.9712
Mak, I. W. C., Chu, C. M., Pan, P. C., Yiu, M. G. C., Ho, S. C., & Chan, V. L. (2010). Risk factors for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in SARS survivors. General Hospital Psychiatry, 32(6), 590-598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.07.007
Matud, M. P., Bethencourt, J. M., & Ibáñez, I. (2015). Gender differences in psychological distress in Spain. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 61(6), 560-568. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764014564801
Mazanec, S. R., Daly, B.J., Douglas, S. L., Lipson, A. R. (2010). The Relationship between optimism and quality of life in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Cancer Nursing, 33(3), 235-43.doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181c7fa80 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181c7fa80
Moghanibashi-Mansourieh, A. (2020). Assessing the anxiety level of Iranian general population during COVID-19 outbreak. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102076. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102076 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102076
Rosenberg, M. J., & Hovland, C. I. (1960). Cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of attitude. In M. Rosenberg, C. Hovland, W. McGuire, R. Abelson, & J. Brehm (Eds.), Attitude Organization and Change (pp.1-14). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Tan, B.Y.Q., Chew, N.W.S., Lee, G.K.H., Jing, M., Goh, Y.,…& Sharma, W. K. (2020). Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in Singapore. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-1083 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-1083
The Qur’an (M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, Trans.). (2004). OUP.
Vachaspati, D. (2017). Women's Quality of Life and Perceived Stress: Role of Joint and Nuclear Family. Indian Journal of Community Psychology, 13 (1).Abstract retrieved from https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-488193694/women-s-quality-of-life-and-perceived-stress-role
Wang, C., Pan, R., Wan, X., Tan, Y., Xu, L., Ho, C. S., & Ho, R. C. (2020). Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051729 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051729
Wang, L. W., Yang, L. H., Chen, X. B., Zhang, Q. R., & Gong, Z. J. (2003). The investigation of psychological status of medical staff during epidemic outbreak stage of SARS in Wuhan. Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine Science, 12, 556-558.
World Health Organization (2020a). Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
World Health Organization (2020b). Infection prevention and control during health care when COVID-19 is suspected. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/infection-prevention-and-control-during-health-care-when-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-is-suspected-20200125
Warheit, G. J., Zimmerman, R. S., Khoury, E. L., Vega, W. A., & Gil, A. G. (1996). Disaster related stresses, depressive signs and symptoms, and suicidal ideation among a multi?racial/ethnic sample of adolescents: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 37(4), 435-444. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1996.tb01424.x
Warsini, S., West, C., Ed, G. D., Res Meth, G. C., Mills, J., & Usher, K. (2014). The psychosocial impact of natural disasters among adult survivors: An integrative review. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 35(6), 420-436. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2013.875085
Yao, H., Chen, J., & Xu,Y. (2020). Patients with mental health disorders in the COVID-19 epidemic. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(4), 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366 (20)30090-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30090-0
Yeung, D. Y. L., & Fung, H. H. (2007). Age differences in coping and emotional responses toward SARS: A longitudinal study of Hong Kong Chinese. Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), 579-587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860601086355
Zhang, J., Shuai, L., Yu, H., Wang, Z., Qiu, M., Lu, L., Cao, X., Xia, W., Wang, Y., & Chen, R. (2020). Acute stress, behavioural symptoms and mood states among school-age children with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder during the COVID-19 outbreak. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102077 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102077
Zhong, B.L., Luo, W., Li, H. M, Zhang, Q.Q., Liu, X. G., Li, W. T, Li, Y. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 16(10), 1745-1752. doi:10.7150/ijbs.45221. Available from http://www.jbs.com/ v16p1745.htm DOI: https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.45221
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Ayesha Abdul Khaliq, Dr Shahida Batool, Sadaf Saleem
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License (https://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-Commercial use, reproduction
and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the Journal website at (https://iprpk.com/ojs/index.php/jpap)
