A Crisis within a Crisis: An Assessment of COVID-19 Attitude and Practice among Syrians - A Cross-sectional Study (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 has overwhelmed public healthcare systems worldwide, exacted substantial economic burden, and forced governments to impose partial or complete lockdowns of entire countries with stringent infection control measures to curb the spread of the virus. This study aimed to reflect the Syrian public’s adherence to infection control measures by assessing their attitude and practice during this outbreak embedded within the war in Syria.Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was distributed randomly in March 2020, nearly 11 years into the Syrian war crisis. The survey consists of 3 sections socio-demographic characteristics, attitude, and practice. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with good practice, and negative attitude. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0.Results: Of the 3586 participants, 68.2% were females, 50.8% were unemployed, and 79.2% were college-educated. Only 1402(39.1%) participants were wearing face masks when leaving their homes. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, age, and residence were factors associated with good practice towards avoiding mass gatherings, wearing face masks, and maintaining a 1-meter interpersonal distance; however, age and occupation were factors associated with a negative attitude towards the closure of universities and schools, travel ban, and quarantine for travelers.Conclusion: This survey sheds light on the need for multiple measures to address targeted populations; there must be a specialized method of prevention for each occupation, age group, and place of residence to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19.