knowledge
This KAP assessment tells us what people know about COVID-19, how they feel and their actions to prevent the disease. It identifies knowledge gaps, beliefs, or misperceptions that can facilitate people’s understanding and behaviour. It also assesses what community would like to know more about COVID-19 and how they prefer to contact TRCS to ask questions or share feedback. Knowing what information people have heard already, how they reacted to it and why they might be resistant to change can help develop targeted messaging and engage in dialogue with communities to promote positive behaviour. The findings of KAP assessment can guide adjustments to ongoing interventions and improve the quality and accessibility of services for the communities.
Knowledge assesses a community’s understanding and what they know about a given topic, COVID-19 for this KAP assessment.
What do you know about the new Coronavirus?
Survey findings show about 96.1% of the respondents are aware about COVID-19. This number is similar to that of the first KAP assessment (96.5% respondents) and indicates communities’ high exposure to information about COVID-19, with these 96.1% of respondents reporting that COVID-19 is a virus that can cause disease. However, the remaining 3.9% of respondents either thought COVID-19 was used as a TV/radio campaign (2.5%), did not know anything about it (1.1%), or gave another response (0.3%).
Under "Other" the following responses were recorded: ‘’I know everything about the virus’’, a very dangerous or deadly disease, a virus made by humans, a major epidemic emerging from China, ‘’I do not believe there is such a virus/disease’’.
What kind of information have you received about the new Coronavirus?
Respondents have received various information about COVID-19 including its symptoms (82.2%), how it is transmitted (81.2%), how to prevent the disease (61.5%), and what to do if infected (40.9%). People also reported being informed about how to wear masks (40.4%) or wash hands (37.3%), although these two responses were higher in the previous KAP assessment (55.3% and 48.5% respectively). Other information respondents reported having received were about the risks involved for people with chronic disease or pregnant women (26.2%) and how to use disinfectants (15.8%).
There were no significant differences in answers provided by refugees/host community members or women/men. Under "Other" the following responses were recorded: maintain physical distance, avoid going out or smoking outside, children could carry the virus, educate children about the virus, it is a dangerous disease, importance of cleaning the house, received all the information needed, how to donate money for COVID-19 response. 5 respondents said they did not know or could not recall what kind of information they received.
Top 6 responses. More than one answer possible.
Where do you get information about the new Coronavirus from?
The most popular sources of information about COVID-19 reported by respondents were TV (59.9%), followed by Ministry of Health (30.2%), Facebook (30.2%), websites (22.0%), family and friends (38.9%) and health workers (15%). ‘Ministry of Health’ is a newly added option for this question in the second round of the assessment after emerging as one of the most common sources of information in the first round of surveys, with findings show that this was the second most common source of information for people after television. The proportion of people who reported receiving information from health workers, however, has decreased to 15% compared to the previous assessment (31.4%). Other sources mentioned included government officials and social media channels - including those of TRCS and its website - and TRCS staff and volunteers.
Under ‘‘Other’’ the following responses were recorded: WHO, internet, YouTube, various social media, newspapers, Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board in Turkey, brochures in public transport, telephone, training sessions at workplace. 5 respondents said they did not follow any information.
Similar to the survey respondents, FGD participants reported receiving information about COVID-19 from various sources including social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube), TV, particularly from news channels like TRT news, Ministry of Health, newspapers, websites, WHO, and TRCS through its social media channels and the Community Centres. They also mentioned about other sources such as brochures, friends and family, doctors, health workers, community leaders and TRCS staff or volunteers. In Kilis, Konya and Sultanbeyli, participants from local host communities reported that many people relied on information shared by public figures about COVID-19 such as the Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca, and a young influencer, Yusuf Mulla.
As in the previous KAP assessment, FGD participants and survey respondents in this round reported that while the use of Facebook was higher among refugees (21.3%), TV was more accessible to host community members (32.0%) as TV shows were mostly in Turkish and there was no language barrier for them. Participants from host community in Adana said Instagram was quite popular among young people.
By status - host community and refugee categories only. Top 10 answers. More than one answer possible
"TRCS Community Center was the only institution that shared information about the COVID-19 in Arabic and Turkish at first. Later, other Institutions started to share information in two languages. "
F.Y., Refugee man – Bursa
Is there anything preventing you or making it difficult to receive information about the new Coronavirus?
97.1% of the survey respondents said they did not encounter any challenges in receiving information about COVID-19. This finding is higher compared to the previous assessment (95.6 %), meaning now less people are faced with challenges to access information. However, those who did say they had faced difficulties (112 respondents), the most commonly mentioned obstacles were not knowing the trusted sources of information (50%), not using social media (20.5%), and not having access to internet (11.6%). Respondents among the host population reported not knowing the trusted sources of information (40.2%) as one of the main challenges, whereas for refugees not using social media (13.4%) was the main obstacle. For men, however, both, not knowing the reliable sources of information (29.5%) and not using social media (11.6%) were higher than for female respondents.
IF YES, WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS?
By status - host community and refugee categories only. More than one answer possible. 170 and 112 respondents, respectively.
"The existing internet packages are not sufficient for distance learning and looking into the news or information on coronavirus. The cost for internet has added to my household expense. Also, we have difficulties in accessing information from websites because our phones are too old. "
A.A., Refugee man – 40, Mardin
WhICH CHANNEL/WHO DO YOU TRUST THE MOST FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO THE VIRUS?
Respondents’ most trusted sources of information were Ministry of Health (43.2%), TV (38.6%), doctors (19.0%) and health workers (18.7%). Other channels mentioned included Facebook (16.4%), government officials (15.1%), family and friends (21.5%), websites (13.2%) and TRCS (15.1%). There were no significant differences in the responses for Ministry of Health and TV among refugees and host community respondents and both the groups accessed information from these sources. However, doctors (12.9%), Facebook (13.2%) as well as family/friends (13.4%), websites (9.8%) and TRCS (9.8%) were reported as more reliable sources by refugees compared to respondents from the host population. ‘Ministry of Health’, a newly added option for this question in the second round of the assessment, was the first choice of both refugees and people from host communities.
In the FGDs, participants reported that their trusted sources of information were family, friends, doctors or healthcare professionals, Ministry of Health, and other government institutions, TRCS and its Community Centres, Muhtars, the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board in Turkey, World Health Organization (WHO) and NGOs. As in the first KAP assessment, participants from Sanliurfa, Bursa and Bağcilar, mentioned about religious leaders, as also one of the trusted channels to receive information. Religious leaders should be involved to encourage communities to practise positive behaviour especially during the sermon in Friday prayers they said. In several other locations, such as in Ankara, Hatay, Gaziantep, Konya and Kocaeli, it was reported that people followed the statements and twitter page of the Health Minister, Farhettin Koca, to get information about COVID-19. In Bağcilar, the refugee community also trusted popular Arab doctors to get information or ask questions on COVID-19.
By status - host community and refugee categories only. Top 5 responses. More than one answer possible.
"I only follow the information posted by the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education and the statements of the Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca, in the social media. I am quite aware of the services of TRCS in response to the crisis and I am always in touch with them. "
S.A., Turkish man – 40, Izmir
HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?
When asked how COVID-19 spreads, most respondents mentioned correctly that it can spread through droplets from infected persons when coughing and sneezing (81.3%) or direct contact with infected people (69.1%), touching contaminated objects or surfaces (68.0%) or touching nose, eyes and mouth with dirty hands (51.6%). There were no significant differences in these responses from the previous KAP assessment except for ‘touching contaminated objects or surfaces’, which was slightly lower in the first round (64.6%). The remaining, however, mentioned blood transfusion (4.5%), close contact with animals (2.8%) and drinking unclean water (2.6%) as sources of infection.
Other answers not covered in the list: the virus spreads from people who are not careful and do not follow the restrictions, through pollution, breathing (airborne), cash, through contacting with other people and people who do not admit that they are sick, the virus spreads in crowded places and public transport. Two respondents said that the virus does not spread.
Top 5 responses. More than one answer possible.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PREVENT THE CORONAVIRUS CONTRACTION?
Regarding the measures to prevent COVID-19 infection, a majority of the respondents correctly identified washing hands with soap (88.5%), wearing masks when going out (82.0%), maintaining physical distance (76.4%), and using hand sanitizer (57.0%), while maintaining good coughing etiquette (40.5%) was also widely recognised. There were no significant differences in these findings with those of the first KAP assessment, although the number of responses for these options were slightly lower in the second round. Others mentioned avoiding touching nose and eyes (29.3%), wearing masks when taking care of an infected person (23.5%) and using disinfectants to clean surfaces (16.1%).
Other recorded prevention methods: washing clothes in 90 degrees, strengthening immune system, avoiding crowds, having a healthy diet, using bleach/vinegar, refraining from smoking, drinking more water/juice, self-isolation, and not going out unless necessary.
Survey findings complement FGD reports where participants reported being well aware of the preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. Like the previous KAP assessment, participants said they shared the information they received about COVID-19 and necessary precautions with their family members, children, friends, neighbours, as well as with other employees at work via WhatsApp groups or social media.
More than one answer possible.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS INFECTION?
Almost all respondents mentioned that the main symptoms of COVID-19 were fever (92.3%), cough (84.9%) and shortness of breath (73.7%). These findings were similar to the previous KAP assessment. ‘Loss of taste or smell’, however, was reported higher in this second round (55.8%) compared to the first round (31.8%). Other symptoms mentioned were headaches (45.5%), muscle pain (42.7.2%), and diarrhoea (35.9%).
Other mentioned symptoms: can be different for everyone, shivering/feeling cold, dizziness, fainting, high blood pressure, weakness, shoulder pain, joint pain, vomiting, nausea, same as flu symptoms, sore throat, bad mood, fatigue, eye redness, anorexia, runny nose/sneezing, unexpected symptoms, dry mouth, loss of appetite, leg pain, backache, heart attack.
These survey findings complement the FGDs which found that the majority of participants were well aware about COVID-19, the symptoms of infection, how it spreads, and how to reduce the risks of getting infected. FGD participants explained that the common symptoms of infection were fever, dry cough, lacking sense of smell and taste, and breathing difficulties. However, they added that the nature of these symptoms could vary from person to person with some showing mild symptoms while for others it could be severe. The virus can transmit through droplets during coughing and sneezing or physical contact with an infected person. It spreads faster in confined and crowded spaces.
More than one answer possible.
WHO IS AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF THE INFECTION?
A majority of respondents identified older people (84.7%) and people with chronic diseases (67.4%) as being at the highest risk of COVID-19 infection. Also mentioned were pregnant women (19.4%), health workers (18.2%), and children under 5 years old (11.8%).
Other vulnerable groups mentioned in the survey were smokers, men, those not following rules/restrictions, people with poor/compromised immune systems, healthcare providers, civil servants, workers/people selling goods in the markets, people aged between 25-40 years, "Outsiders"/foreigners, poor people. Seventeen respondents said everyone is at risk of contracting the virus. Three respondents could not indicate any vulnerable groups.
As in the previous assessment, FGD participants recognized that everyone could be at risk of infection, but especially mentioned, older people (above 60 years of age), those with chronic disease and weak immune system were at higher risks of becoming infected. They also felt doctors and health workers, pregnant women, children, people who were going out to work or using public transport and those not following the preventive measures such as, not wearing masks, not maintaining personal hygiene, or paying attention to physical distancing, could be at high risk of COVID-19 infection. People who had recovered from COVID-19 could be equally at risk of infection as any other person, participants added. In Hatay, participants said young people may not always show symptoms but can be carriers of the disease.
More than one answer possible.
