Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in a Sample of the Lebanese Population Regarding Cholera

Diana Malaeb, Malik Sallam (), Samar Younes, Nisreen Mourad, Abir Sarray El Dine, Sahar Obeid, Souheil Hallit () and Rabih Hallit
Additional contact information
Diana Malaeb: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman P.O. Box 4184, United Arab Emirates
Malik Sallam: Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Samar Younes: Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon
Nisreen Mourad: Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon
Abir Sarray El Dine: Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut P.O. Box 146404, Lebanon
Sahar Obeid: Department of Social and Education Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
Souheil Hallit: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
Rabih Hallit: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: The evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and practices towards an emerging disease is an essential component of public health preventive measures during an outbreak. In October 2022, an outbreak of cholera was reported in Lebanon, which is the first to be reported in the Middle Eastern country for 30 years. This study aimed to explore the level of knowledge as well as attitude and practice of the general public in Lebanon towards cholera. A self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed via an online link to individuals living in Lebanon during October–November 2022. The survey instrument comprised items to assess the sociodemographic data; questions on knowledge about cholera symptoms, transmission, and prevention; as well as attitude and practice questions. Our study involved 553 participants, with a median age of 24 years and a majority of females (72.5%). The results showed that the majority of respondents correctly identified diarrhea as a symptom of cholera and recognized the spread via contaminated water and food. Having a university level education compared with secondary school or less (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.09), being married compared with single (aOR = 1.67), and working in the medical field compared with unemployed (aOR = 4.19) were significantly associated with higher odds of having good cholera knowledge. Having good knowledge compared with having a poor level of cholera knowledge (aOR = 1.83) and older age (aOR = 1.03) were significantly associated with higher odds of having a good attitude towards cholera. The current study showed an overall high knowledge score on cholera among the Lebanese population. Nevertheless, gaps in cholera knowledge were identified and should be addressed, particularly among workers in the medical field. Thus, we recommend targeted health education to the general population that aims to strengthen the health resilience in the community.

Keywords: cholera; knowledge; attitude; practice; KAP; Lebanon; outbreak; general population; Vibrio cholerae; acute diarrheal illness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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