Awareness, attitudes, and anxiety related to COVID-19 pandemic among the public in early terms of the pandemic in Turkey

Objective: We conducted the study to question the basic information of the public about the COVID-19 in Turkey in the early term of the pandemic. Methods: This study was conducted at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. COVID-19 knowledge questionnaire was developed by the authors. We questioned the participants about the habit of getting information resources, knowledge of the treatment, symptoms; and incubation period of the COVID-19. We measured anxiety level and it was scored on a 10 cm Visual Analog Scales (0:Not worried; 10:strongly worried). A 14-item Health Anxiety Inventory (Short Form) was used to assess health anxiety status. Results: We included 513 (268 female 52.2%, 245 male 47.8%) individuals that mean age was 32.20±13.27 years. Forty-three and five percent of the participants reported that exercising is a virus protector. Most of the participants agreed with the idea ”reduction in public transport, closing the schools and public institutions, increase in personal care and hygiene are successful methods as a precaution”. An increase in washing hands (64.7%) was the biggest method that is done to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection in the last days. Anxiety level was 5.58, and this means participants have a moderate anxiety level. The Short Health Anxiety Inventory score of all the participants was 15.33±9.83. Conclusion: It is determined that the public has sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, they are aware of the necessary precautions against the pandemic. But their level of anxiety was high. We think that authorities should continue to share with the public regular information about the pandemic to reduce the tension of the public.