Dataset Information

Knowledge and attitudes about influenza and the common cold in Syria post COVID-19: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The common cold and the influenza are common infections that are frequent in the community. In this study, we estimate the level of knowledge regarding those diseases among the Syrian population in the COVID era as it is important to have this knowledge for future health planning and policies.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted from November to December in 2021. A structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed as Google Forms on social media platforms and hard copies of the questionnaire to patients, their companions, or workers in public hospitals. Chi-square test and Mann Whitney test were used to study the associations between categorical groups.

Results

This study included 13013 participants, 7856 (60.4%) were females, 78.4% were younger than 31 years old, only 3518 (27%) knew that the common cold and the influenza were caused by viruses, 6146 (47.2%) reported that runny nose was the most annoying symptom, 75.6% of the participants believed that antibiotics could kill viruses, and 7674 (58.9%) had fears from symptoms of common cold and influenza because of covid-19. Females were statistically significantly more knowledgeable and had more fears from the infection compared with males.

Conclusion

This study showed a low level of knowledge among the Syrian population. The view of influenza and common cold have changed after COVID as they are now taken more seriously. Many efforts should be made to spread awareness, effective management, and reducing antibiotic misinformation.

SUBMITTER: Swed S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9283197 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Knowledge and attitudes about influenza and the common cold in Syria post COVID-19: A qualitative study.

Swed Sarya S Alibrahim Hidar H Alzabibi Mhd Amin MA Shibani Mosa M Hasoon Mostafa M Bohsas Haidara H Raslan Hasan H Alholiby Sham S Channiss Lilas L Alsakka Shahm Azzam SA Alkassab Rana R Barou Salwa Abdulrahman SA Kelzia Aya A Al-Abboud Hala H Naal Fatima F Jarrous Aya Mtanos AM Jawish Nagham N Suliman Schasa Monaf SM Dashan Sedra S Esmaeel Weaam W Shebli Baraa B Ezzedean Weaam W Kashkash Fateh F Khouri Abdullah A Sawaf Bisher B Kakaje Ameer A Kearney Ruby M RM Ghozy Sherief S

Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) 20220715

<h4>Background</h4>The common cold and the influenza are common infections that are frequent in the community. In this study, we estimate the level of knowledge regarding those diseases among the Syrian population in the COVID era as it is important to have this knowledge for future health planning and policies.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative study was conducted from November to December in 2021. A structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed as Google Forms on social media platforms ...[more]

PMID: 35859759

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Project description:Objective: Key to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the UK is increased use of the NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT) system. This study explored one of the main issues that determine whether people engage with NHSTT, how people understand symptoms that may indicate the presence of COVID-19 and that should trigger a request for a test. Methods: In this qualitative study, a series of semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 40 people (21 members of the general population, 19 students). There was nearly an equal split between male and female participants in both samples. Data were collected between 30 November and 11 December 2020 and explored using thematic analysis. There was substantial similarity in responses for both populations so we combined our results and highlighted where differences were present. Results: Participants generally had good knowledge of the main symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, new, persistent cough, anosmia) but had low confidence in their ability to differentiate them from symptoms of other illnesses. Attribution of symptoms to COVID-19 was most likely where the symptoms were severe, many symptoms were present, symptoms had lasted for some time and when perceived risk of exposure to infection was high due to previous contact with others. Participants felt encouraged to engage in testing where symptoms were present and had persisted for several days, though, many had concerns about the safety of testing centres and the accuracy of test results. Students had mixed feelings about mass asymptomatic testing, seeing it as a way to access a more normal student experience, but also a potential waste of resources. Conclusions: This study offers novel insights into how people attribute symptoms to COVID-19 and barriers and facilitators to engaging with NHSTT. Participants had positive views of testing, but there is a need to improve not just recognition of each main symptom, but also understanding that even single, mild symptoms may necessitate a test rather than a "wait and see" approach, and to address concerns around test accuracy to increase testing uptake.

Dataset Information

Knowledge and attitudes about influenza and the common cold in Syria post COVID-19: A qualitative study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Knowledge and attitudes about influenza and the common cold in Syria post COVID-19: A qualitative study.

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