Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 among Patients with Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Diseases in Nepal: A Web- based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction/objectives: The global health crisis created by Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) can be a serious concern to rheumatologists. The relationship of rheumatic diseases, their therapies, and COVID-19 with multiple genuine and malicious information available online can influence the knowledge and attitude of rheumatic patients. This web-based google-form study was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude and practices of rheumatologic patients towards COVID-19 in Nepal. Methodology: A web based cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients with rheumatic diseases. Modified version of questionnaire prepared by Zhong BL et al was used after consent. It was then translated in Nepali language for comprehensibility. The final questionnaire contained a total of 29 questions; 6 for demographic parameters, 12, 5 and 6 for knowledge, attitude and practice behaviors, respectively. Simple descriptive statistics describing the positive responses in each domain. Multiple linear regression analysis done to observe demographic variables associated with the knowledge, attitude and practice. Results: Among 380 participants, 63.2% were female. Most of the participants were aware of the clinical features of COVID-19 (91.6 %), 71.5% had positive attitude towards its control, some (31.5 %) thought that they had greater chance of getting COVID-19 than others and 18.9 % believed that the anti-rheumatic medications could increase their susceptibility to infection. Majority (> 94.7%) practiced preventive measures. Conclusions: Patients with rheumatic diseases were aware of the general clinical features, route of transmission and general preventive measures regarding COVID-19.