Did knowledge, attitudes, and practices matter during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh? Results from a web-based cross-sectional study

Globally, health promotion measures have been undertaken in preventing the emergence and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, whether these measures influence public awareness and behaviors is unclear and evidence is limited in particular in low-and-middle income country. We conducted an online survey among internet users in Bangladesh to understand the status and attributes of their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 during second wave of the pandemic when COVID educational information was more accessible to the public. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of 964 respondents, 40.2%, 51.5%, and 64.3% had good knowledge, confident attitudes, and proper practices towards COVID-19, respectively. The multivariate regression analysis found that the knowledge and practice scores were associated (p<0.05) with gender, age, and occupation. Females had better knowledge and practices compared to males (p<0.05). There were major gaps in awareness, attitudes, and practices among internet users in particular males and elders that needs to be addressed to control the further spread of COVID-19 infections before at least COVID-19 vaccine become accessible at population level in Bangladesh. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The research’s procedure and detailed protocols were critically reviewed and approved by the ethics committee (Ref. No. DoP/RC/EC/2020/06/app/01OL), the Department of Pharmacy, the Northern University of Bangladesh under the condition of complete adherence to the Declaration of Helsinki. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All the data involved in the study are available in the article. Further raw data will be available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.