Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards COVID-19 and its vaccine Among Palestinian population: Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: A COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March of 2020. Until the 12th of February 2022, there have been 556,550 confirmed cases and 5,128 deaths. 

Objectives: This study was done to assess Palestinian population's knowledge, practice, and attitude (KAP) toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccine.  

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of adult Palestinians above 18 years of age. A total of 1030 surveys were collected in the last quarter of 2021. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. 

Results: 34.5% of the participants were males, and 65.5% were females. 59.8% reported that they are committed to all the precautionary measures. 71.8% of participants have taken the vaccine or they will take it at the earliest opportunity. 73.9% of participants believed that commitment to physical distancing is one of the most important means to stop the pandemic, and 72% believed that wearing masks in public places is one of the most important means to stop the pandemic. 

Discussion:  A higher vaccination acceptance rate was significantly higher among those with higher educational levels, working in the medical field, and participants following approved governmental media sources rather than social media.  

Conclusion: Adherence of Palestinian population towards taking vaccines and commitment to protective measures was high. This has helped -despite the challenge of living under occupation- in minimizing the burden of the pandemic in our society. 

Keywords: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, Knowledge, attitude, practice, KAP