Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
Introduction: Despite efforts by health organizations to share evidence-based information, fake news hindered the promotion of social distancing and vaccination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed COVID-19 knowledge and practices in a vulnerable area in nort...
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The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/20005 |
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| author | Andre L Vargas Larissa PV Souza Lauryne MBR Paes Raleigh P Dias Thiago F Marotti Thais Louvain de Souza Inez Barcellos de Andrade |
| author_facet | Andre L Vargas Larissa PV Souza Lauryne MBR Paes Raleigh P Dias Thiago F Marotti Thais Louvain de Souza Inez Barcellos de Andrade |
| author_sort | Andre L Vargas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: Despite efforts by health organizations to share evidence-based information, fake news hindered the promotion of social distancing and vaccination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed COVID-19 knowledge and practices in a vulnerable area in northern Rio de Janeiro, acknowledging the influence of the complex social and economic landscape on public health perceptions.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Novo Eldorado – a low-income, conflict-affected neighborhood in Campos dos Goytacazes – using a structured questionnaire, following the peak of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil (July–December 2021). Statistical tests were used to delineate profiles and evaluate knowledge and preventive behaviors associated with COVID-19.
Results: This study involved a cohort of 156 participants, predominantly women (74%), with an average age of 53 years. Almost half of the participants were identified as single (48%), and more than half had not completed elementary school. Notably, 68% believed they were well-informed about COVID-19. The answers to the questionnaire revealed that the majority correctly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a virus (65%); 72% recognized fever or cough as the main symptoms; and 71% recognized the importance of wearing masks. The overall mean score of the study was 7.628 (SD 1.583047). Social networks, especially ‘WhatsApp’ (65%), were the primary information sources. Those using social media or WhatsApp had higher knowledge scores (8.000 vs. 7.000, p = 0.0064).
Conclusions: Involving marginalized communities and using social media to disseminate accurate information and trust in science is necessary to tackle COVID-19 challenges.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a028cbdf1dc4a91ad0da6757f28d890 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1972-2680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a028cbdf1dc4a91ad0da6757f28d8902025-08-20T02:57:52ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802024-12-011812.110.3855/jidc.20005Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – BrazilAndre L Vargas0Larissa PV Souza1Lauryne MBR Paes2Raleigh P Dias3Thiago F Marotti4Thais Louvain de Souza5Inez Barcellos de Andrade6Faculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, BrazilInstituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, BrazilFaculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, BrazilFaculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, BrazilFaculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, BrazilFaculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, BrazilFaculdade de Medicina de Campos, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil Introduction: Despite efforts by health organizations to share evidence-based information, fake news hindered the promotion of social distancing and vaccination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed COVID-19 knowledge and practices in a vulnerable area in northern Rio de Janeiro, acknowledging the influence of the complex social and economic landscape on public health perceptions. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Novo Eldorado – a low-income, conflict-affected neighborhood in Campos dos Goytacazes – using a structured questionnaire, following the peak of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil (July–December 2021). Statistical tests were used to delineate profiles and evaluate knowledge and preventive behaviors associated with COVID-19. Results: This study involved a cohort of 156 participants, predominantly women (74%), with an average age of 53 years. Almost half of the participants were identified as single (48%), and more than half had not completed elementary school. Notably, 68% believed they were well-informed about COVID-19. The answers to the questionnaire revealed that the majority correctly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a virus (65%); 72% recognized fever or cough as the main symptoms; and 71% recognized the importance of wearing masks. The overall mean score of the study was 7.628 (SD 1.583047). Social networks, especially ‘WhatsApp’ (65%), were the primary information sources. Those using social media or WhatsApp had higher knowledge scores (8.000 vs. 7.000, p = 0.0064). Conclusions: Involving marginalized communities and using social media to disseminate accurate information and trust in science is necessary to tackle COVID-19 challenges. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/20005attitudeCOVID-19Brazilknowledgepreventionpublic health |
| spellingShingle | Andre L Vargas Larissa PV Souza Lauryne MBR Paes Raleigh P Dias Thiago F Marotti Thais Louvain de Souza Inez Barcellos de Andrade Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil Journal of Infection in Developing Countries attitude COVID-19 Brazil knowledge prevention public health |
| title | Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil |
| title_full | Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil |
| title_short | Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil |
| title_sort | knowledge and behavior towards covid 19 in the northern region of the state of rio de janeiro brazil |
| topic | attitude COVID-19 Brazil knowledge prevention public health |
| url | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/20005 |
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