Attitudes and Practices on COVID-19 amongst Residents of Two States in Northern Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: With the global evolution of COVID-19, and Malaysia’s efforts in containing it, the onus of curtailing spread depends on the efforts of Malaysians to comply and adapt to the emerging new social norms. Our aim was to study the attitudes and practices of residents in Penang and Kedah towards COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in late October 2020 via an online self-reported structured questionnaire. A five-point Likert scale was used in both 12-item attitudes and 10-item practices questionnaires. Data scored was converted into categorical data based on median value of good and bad attitudes and practices. Spearman’s correlation was used to analyse the relationship between attitudes and practices, while Chi-square test was used to determine the differences of attitudes and practices between the two states. RESULTS: A total of 834 respondents were enrolled, who were mostly aged 20 to 30, of Malay and Chinese ethnicity, and were from the green zone (40.9%). The mean attitudes score was 44.5 for Kedah and 44.3 for Penang. The mean practices score was the same for both states at 10.8. Gender was significantly associated with good attitudes (p=0.007) in Penang. Gender Penang (p=0.007) and Kedah (p=-0.001), marital status (p=0.003) and employment status (p=0.001) in Kedah were significantly associated with good practices. Overall, 94.8% agreed to strict enforcement of social distancing and masking. A weak but positive correlation (r=0.30;p<0.001) was found between attitudes and practices. Shortfall in practices relating to not wearing mask properly, not disposing of masks properly and poor cough etiquette. CONCLUSION: Level of compliance to the new norms was generally good with little difference between the two states. A small proportion of people still had poor practices. We need to ensure that the social norms are sustained by the community. © 2022. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.