Awareness, perceived risk and protective behaviours of Myanmar adults on COVID-19

Authors

  • Kyaw S. Mya Department of Biostatistics and Medical Demography, Union of Myanmar http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1286-1409
  • Aye S. M. Department of Biostatistics and Medical Demography, Union of Myanmar
  • Win A. Hlaing Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, Union of Myanmar
  • Su S. Hlaing Department of Epidemiology, Union of Myanmar
  • Thida Aung Department of Population and Family Health, Union of Myanmar
  • Swe M. M. Lwin Department of Health Behaviour and Communication, Union of Myanmar
  • Ei S. U. Department of Medical Education and ICT, Union of Myanmar
  • Thandar Tun Department of Population and Family Health, Union of Myanmar
  • Kyawt S. Lwin Department of Health Policy and Management, Union of Myanmar
  • Hla H. Win University of Public Health, Yangon, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201530

Keywords:

COVID-19, Awareness, Perceived risk, Protective behaviour, Adults, Myanmar

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 was originated from Wuhan city, China in December 2019 and spread very fast to all over the world. This study was carried out to assess the awareness, perceived risk and protective behaviours of Myanmar adults on COVID-19.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted using face to face interview method among 597 adults from Yangon and Bago regions. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the factors influencing on practicing protective behaviours and the results were described by adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Almost all, 584 (98%) of 597 respondents, have heard about COVID-19. Among those 584 respondents, 87% had low knowledge level. Risk perception level towards COVID-19 was moderate to high. Regarding perception to information in social media, about 36% of the respondents agreed on sharing news from social media without verifying the sources. Only 22% reported good protective behaviours. Multivariable analysis revealed that knowledge score (aOR=1.19, 95% CI- 1.08-1.30) was significantly and positively influenced the protective behaviours. The odds of protective behaviour of participants from Ayeyarwaddy (aOR=0.41, 95% CI- 0.19-0.91) and other states and regions (aOR=0.49, 95% CI- 0.24-0.99) were significantly less than those of participants from Yangon.

Conclusions: The study concluded that community has no enough knowledge and inadequate protective behaviours to prevent COVID-19. The awareness raising activities and mass media health education should urgently be conducted focusing on hand washing, cough etiquette, social distancing behaviours and responsibility to inform suspected cases to local health authority to prevent COVID-19. Further research using nationally represented sample are warranted.

Author Biography

Kyaw S. Mya, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Demography, Union of Myanmar

Associate Professor/Head, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Demography

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Published

2020-04-24

How to Cite

Mya, K. S., S. M., A., Hlaing, W. A., Hlaing, S. S., Aung, T., Lwin, S. M. M., S. U., E., Tun, T., Lwin, K. S., & Win, H. H. (2020). Awareness, perceived risk and protective behaviours of Myanmar adults on COVID-19. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(5), 1627–1636. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201530

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Section

Original Research Articles