Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among Malaysian older adults during the pandemic
List of Authors
  • Hazwan Mat Din , Raja Nurzatul Efah Raja Adnan

Keyword
  • novel coronavirus, older person, awareness, perceptions

Abstract
  • Due to the factor of age and pre-existing medication conditions, older adults pose a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and experience more severe complication compared to others. Adherence preventive measures become one of the best ways in fighting COVID-19, which largely influenced by knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). This study aims to determine level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Malaysian older adults. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 501 Malaysian older adults from 18th to 21st June 2020. The KAP instrument consisted of demographics details, knowledge (14 items), attitudes (3 items) and practices (2 items), adapted from previous study. Results of this study showed respondents had an overall correct rate of 91.3%, indicating a good knowledge level. Respondents showed positive attitudes towards social distancing (98.6%), compliance to health authorities’ precautions (99.0%) and successful control (84.6%) of spreading of COVID-19 in Malaysia. The respondents also taking preventive measures by refraining themselves from visiting crowded place (88.2%) and wore mask when leaving home (97.4%). Findings from this study showed respondents’ high knowledge level of COVID-19 translated into good and safe preventive measures. Even so, results revealed less educated and single older adults were less knowledgeable about COVID-19. This study revealed the Malaysia older adults have good KAP towards COVID-19. The results also suggest that more emphasis should be placed on less educated and single older adults, for COVID-19 prevention and health education.

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