Knowledge and practice of Hormozgan province workers regarding the protection against COVID-19

Currently, the most important health priority of the whole world is COVID-19. Due to the lack of an effective treatment and vaccine for COVID-19, it is important to seriously focus of the prevention.The aim of this study was to investigate the Knowledge and practice of Hormozgan province workers regarding the protection against COVID-19.

In this cross-sectional study, the study sample included 406 workers working in the Hormozgan province who were selected through an available sampling method. The instrument used in this study was a two-part, valid, and reliable questionnaire. The first part contained demographic information and the second part included a questionnaire about knowledge and behavior regarding COVID-19. The questionnaire was provided to the participants through social media and the required data were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and ANOVA, independent t-test, and multiple regression analysis.

Regarding the COVID-19 symptoms and prevention, 78.6% of workers answered the questions correctly. The average score of workers’ behavior was 32.70±3.84, which indicates only 56% of the participants had appropriate behavior. The results of the study showed that the mean scores of behavior in men and women were 33.51±3.51 and 31.96±3.95, respectively, which are significantly different (P-Value≤0.001). Based on the results of multiple regression analysis, knowledge, exercise, and gender were predictors of workers’ behavior (P-Value<0.05).

According to the results of this study, improving the awareness of workers about COVID-19 and increasing their physical activity, result in more preventive behaviors against this disease. Therefore, raising their awareness through education and also planning and encouraging them for regular physical activity is recommended.