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Brazilian Portuguese versions and cross-cultural adaptation of two instruments to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the Brazilian population

Abstract

Introduction

Studies based on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) theory are conducted to identify ways to improve strategies aimed at preventing and combatting certain conditions or diseases, to understand the way how behavioral changes are assimilated by the populations, and to reorient interventions. In view of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, studies based on KAP theory have been useful to better understand certain behaviors, such as adherence to prevention measures and control of the spread of the virus.

Objective

To describe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of two complementary instruments for assessing KAP regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the Brazilian population.

Methods

Two independent translators proposed a first Brazilian Portuguese version of the scales. The cultural adaptation and pre-test of the Brazilian Portuguese versions occurred at different stages, using a panel of specialists and a subsample of the target population, respectively.

Results

The pre-test of the adapted instruments involved 30 Brazilian adults (mean age = 41.8 years; standard deviation = 4.24) and was carried out to assess instrument understanding and applicability. The participants informed they did not have difficulties to self-complete the instruments and reported a high level of clarity and understanding.

Conclusion

Both instruments can bring an opportunity to study behavioral constructs about COVID-19 in the Brazilian population, aiming to articulate strategies that enable the fulfillment of effective preventive measures.

Knowledge; attitudes; cross-cultural adaptation; coronavirus infections

Introduction

Studies that rely on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) theory are performed to collect information about the knowledge (what is known), attitudes (what is thought) and practices (what is done) of a specific population using a standardized questionnaire that covers quantitative and/or qualitative data. 11. World Health Organization (WHO). Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) surveys during cholera vaccination campaigns: guidance for oral cholera vaccine stockpile campaigns [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2020 Oct 20]. www.who.int/publications/m/item/knowledge-attitudes-and-practices- (kap)-surveys-during-cholera-vaccination-campaigns-guidance-for-oral-cholera-vaccine-stockpile-campaigns
www.who.int/publications/m/item/knowledg...
Studies based on KAP theory can identify ways to improve strategies to prevent and combat certain diseases or conditions and reorient interventions. 22. Kaliyaperumal K. Guideline for conducting a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study. AECS Illumination. 2004;4:7-9.

KAP theory has been used in scientific literature to expose patterns of behavior that facilitate communication processes, point out essential sources to define effective actions in disease control, and identify needs and solutions to improve the quality of and access to services. 33. World Health Organization (WHO). Advocacy, communication and social mobilization for TB control. A Guide to developing knowledge, attitude and practice surveys [Internet]. 2008 [cited 2020 Oct 20]. apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43790/9789241596176_eng.pdf?sequence=1
apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665...

In view of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, studies based on KAP theory have been conducted in different populations. 44. Al-Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, Qattan AM, Helmy HZ, Abudawood Y, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 2020;8:217., 55. Zhang M, Zhou M, Tang F, Wang Y, Nie H, Zhang L, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 among health care workers in Henan, China. J Hosp Infect. 2020;105:183-7. These studies have applied the theory to investigate the level of information and identify the behavior of individuals in relation to the disease. The findings revealed the samples’ level of knowledge of and adherence to measures of prevention and control of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (i.e., social distancing, self-isolation, improvement of personal hygiene, use of masks) and promoted relevant discussions about how behavioral dimensions can impact the patterns of spread of the disease in different contexts. 66. Puspitasari IM, Yusuf L, Sinunaya RK, Abdulan R, Koyama H. Knowledge, attitude, and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:727-33. In addition, studies based on KAP theory can help identify the spread of fake news and assist in the development of public health campaigns with information that is enlightening and accessible to the population.

In the scientific literature, only few studies and instruments based on KAP theory have been adapted to different populations with a focus on COVID-19. 44. Al-Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, Qattan AM, Helmy HZ, Abudawood Y, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 2020;8:217.

5. Zhang M, Zhou M, Tang F, Wang Y, Nie H, Zhang L, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 among health care workers in Henan, China. J Hosp Infect. 2020;105:183-7.

6. Puspitasari IM, Yusuf L, Sinunaya RK, Abdulan R, Koyama H. Knowledge, attitude, and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:727-33.
- 77. Peng Y, Pei C, Zheng Y, Wang J, Zhang K, Zheng Z, et al. A cross- sectional survey of knowledge, attitude and practice associated with COVID-19 among undergraduate students in China. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:1292. In particular, no studies have been conducted with Brazilian populations applying KAP models, which can be explained by the lack of adapted instruments available to its population.

During the course of the pandemic, Zhong et al. 88. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52. developed an instrument to assess KAP toward COVID-19 specifically for the Chinese population. It was one of the first studies worldwide to apply KAP models to the COVID-19 context. Another relevant instrument was also proposed in 2020 by Zegarra-Valdivia et al., for use in Latin-American populations. 99. Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z...
According to those authors, the questions included in the instrument were adapted and modified from previously published literature on behavioral factors in the context of viral epidemics. 88. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52., 99. Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z...

In view of the lack of instruments based on KAP theory, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic and available in Portuguese, in addition to the relevance and urgency in conducting national studies on the behavior of the population in the face of the pandemic, the present brief communication aims to propose two complementary instruments 88. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52., 99. Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z...
adapted for the Brazilian population that allow the use of KAP theory in future studies on the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Methods

The knowledge domain of the instrument proposed by Zhong et al. 88. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52. includes 12 items: four items on clinical presentation, three items on ways of disease transmission, and five items on prevention and control of COVID-19. Attitudes are assessed through two questions about the definitive control of the pandemic and confidence in winning the battle against COVID-19, and two questions address practices, one about going to crowded places and the other about wearing a mask when leaving home. Possible answers to these questions are true, false, or I don’t know. Correct answers are assigned 1 point and incorrect/unknown responses 0 point. 88. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52.

The instrument proposed by Zegarra-Valdivia et al. 99. Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z...
contains six sections, as follows: knowledge about COVID-19; transmission ways; perception of the severity of the disease; perception of susceptibility; prevention attitudes; and behavior about COVID-19. Each item is answered on a Likert scale. Correct answers are assigned 1 point, while wrong answers or unknown are assigned 0. The susceptibility scale assesses the stigmas of the disease, preventive measures, problems generated by the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, consequences of the pandemic in people’s lives, feelings generated by the disease and feelings about the end of the pandemic. Moreover, the instrument addresses some types of fears, such as having contact with people coming from abroad, health professionals or taxi drivers and eating outside the home.

The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instruments occurred at different stages. 99. Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z...
First, two qualified, independent translators performed the initial translation (Brazilian Portuguese version) of both instruments. The first version of the instruments in Brazilian Portuguese was then assessed by a committee of experts comprising four researchers with experience in cultural adaptations. In this step, each item was classified according to its clarity; in addition, the semantics, idiomatic, cultural, and conceptual equivalences in comparison with the original versions were evaluated. The final version was back-translated to English language to check for any inconsistences. Subsequently, the Brazilian Portuguese final versions of the tools were tested in a sample of 30 Brazilian adults (pilot sample) to evaluate the applicability of the instruments in the target population and its level of understanding. An invitation and an URL to allow participation were made available in social media. Once all questions were answered, the participants were prompted with questions about the clarity of items and their level of understanding. The time participants spent filling the instrument was also collected.

The study was approved by the research ethics committee of Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (CAAE: 36947720.0.0000.5440) and all ethical precepts were respected.

Results

Tables 1 and 2 present the original versions of the instruments as well as the final Brazilian Portuguese versions, i.e., the final products of all stages of translation and cross-cultural adaptation.

Table 1
English (original) and final Brazilian Portuguese versions of the instrument proposed by Zegarra-Valdivia et al. 9 to assess knowledge, attitude and practice about COVID-19

Table 2
English (original) and final Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument proposed by Zhong et al. 8 to assess knowledge, attitude and practice about COVID-19

Thirty volunteers self-completed the instruments available via an online form. Of these, 70% were female and the mean age was 41.8 years (standard deviation = 4.24 years). All the participants informed that they did not have difficulties to self-complete the instruments and classified the items as having a high level of clarity and understanding. The average time spent filling the instruments was 15 minutes.

Discussion

In view of the worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, the frightening evolution of cases and high transmissibility of the virus, 1010. Sousa GJ, Garces TS, Cestari VR, Moreira TM, Florêncio RS, Pereira ML. Estimation and prediction of COVID-19 cases in Brazilian metropolises. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2020;28e3345., 1111. Díaz-Quijano FA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Waldman EA. Translating transmissibility measures into recommendations for coronavirus prevention. Rev. Saude Publica. 2020;54:43. the observed disbelief of the population both in science and even in the existence of the disease, and finally the low adherence to social isolation and other preventive measures, population studies involving behavioral theories with rigorous methodology are increasingly urgent and necessary. 1212. Marson FA, Ortega MM. COVID-19 in Brazil. Pulmonology. 2020;26:241-4., 1313. Aquino EM, Silveira IH, Pescarini JM, Aquino R, de Souza-Filho JA, Rocha AS, et al. Social distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic; potential impacts and challenges in Brazil. Cien Saude Colet. 2020;25(Suppl 1): 2423-46.

In previous studies, the use of KAP theory has demonstrated understanding the public’s level of awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic. 1313. Aquino EM, Silveira IH, Pescarini JM, Aquino R, de Souza-Filho JA, Rocha AS, et al. Social distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic; potential impacts and challenges in Brazil. Cien Saude Colet. 2020;25(Suppl 1): 2423-46. Puspitasari et al., 66. Puspitasari IM, Yusuf L, Sinunaya RK, Abdulan R, Koyama H. Knowledge, attitude, and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:727-33. in a review, identified some studies using KAP theory among healthcare workers, medical students, and populations from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Jordan, and China. According to those authors, in general, the analysis reveals a positive level of knowledge. In addition, the authors conclude that it is a consensus that substantial knowledge and positive attitudes and practices hopefully can help control the spread of COVID-19. 66. Puspitasari IM, Yusuf L, Sinunaya RK, Abdulan R, Koyama H. Knowledge, attitude, and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:727-33.

The two instruments translated into Brazilian Portuguese and adapted to the Brazilian context in the present study, despite being based on the same constructs – knowledge, attitudes, and practices - can be considered complementary and provide comprehensive measures of the behavior of populations towards the disease. In other words, both can be applied in the same study if the objective is to obtain a complete behavioral overview of a given population in relation to COVID-19. Notwithstanding, the instrument developed by Zhong et al. 88. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52. is less complex and quicker to apply than the instrument by Zegarra-Valdivia et al., 99. Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z...
and can be an interesting tool in studies considering vulnerable and difficult-to-access populations, as well as in broad-based tracking. Our goal was to present different options of tools that can be selected and applied to different objectives and feasibilities, but can also be used combined in the KAP model evaluation, if applicable.

Knowledge of the behavioral profile of the population can bring the opportunity to articulate strategies that enable the fulfillment of effective preventive measures, adapted to the reality of each population, especially in view of the real possibility of new waves of contamination by COVID-19 worldwide. 1414. Batista SR, de Souza AS, Nogueira J, de Andrade FB, Thumé E, Teixeira DS, et al. Protective behaviors for COVID-19 among Brazilian adults and elderly living with multimorbidity: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. Cad Saude Publica. 2020;36 Suppl 3:00196120., 1515. Xu S, Li Y. Beware of the second wave of COVID-19. Lancet. 2020;395:1321-2.

References

  • 1
    World Health Organization (WHO). Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) surveys during cholera vaccination campaigns: guidance for oral cholera vaccine stockpile campaigns [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2020 Oct 20]. www.who.int/publications/m/item/knowledge-attitudes-and-practices- (kap)-surveys-during-cholera-vaccination-campaigns-guidance-for-oral-cholera-vaccine-stockpile-campaigns
    » www.who.int/publications/m/item/knowledge-attitudes-and-practices- (kap)-surveys-during-cholera-vaccination-campaigns-guidance-for-oral-cholera-vaccine-stockpile-campaigns
  • 2
    Kaliyaperumal K. Guideline for conducting a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study. AECS Illumination. 2004;4:7-9.
  • 3
    World Health Organization (WHO). Advocacy, communication and social mobilization for TB control. A Guide to developing knowledge, attitude and practice surveys [Internet]. 2008 [cited 2020 Oct 20]. apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43790/9789241596176_eng.pdf?sequence=1
    » apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43790/9789241596176_eng.pdf?sequence=1
  • 4
    Al-Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, Qattan AM, Helmy HZ, Abudawood Y, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 2020;8:217.
  • 5
    Zhang M, Zhou M, Tang F, Wang Y, Nie H, Zhang L, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 among health care workers in Henan, China. J Hosp Infect. 2020;105:183-7.
  • 6
    Puspitasari IM, Yusuf L, Sinunaya RK, Abdulan R, Koyama H. Knowledge, attitude, and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:727-33.
  • 7
    Peng Y, Pei C, Zheng Y, Wang J, Zhang K, Zheng Z, et al. A cross- sectional survey of knowledge, attitude and practice associated with COVID-19 among undergraduate students in China. BMC Public Health. 2020;20:1292.
  • 8
    Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci. 2020;16:1745-52.
  • 9
    Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Chino-Vilca BN, Ames-Guerrero R. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception susceptibility towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American region. PsyArXiv, 10 June 2020. doi:10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z.
    » https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w9y6z
  • 10
    Sousa GJ, Garces TS, Cestari VR, Moreira TM, Florêncio RS, Pereira ML. Estimation and prediction of COVID-19 cases in Brazilian metropolises. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2020;28e3345.
  • 11
    Díaz-Quijano FA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Waldman EA. Translating transmissibility measures into recommendations for coronavirus prevention. Rev. Saude Publica. 2020;54:43.
  • 12
    Marson FA, Ortega MM. COVID-19 in Brazil. Pulmonology. 2020;26:241-4.
  • 13
    Aquino EM, Silveira IH, Pescarini JM, Aquino R, de Souza-Filho JA, Rocha AS, et al. Social distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic; potential impacts and challenges in Brazil. Cien Saude Colet. 2020;25(Suppl 1): 2423-46.
  • 14
    Batista SR, de Souza AS, Nogueira J, de Andrade FB, Thumé E, Teixeira DS, et al. Protective behaviors for COVID-19 among Brazilian adults and elderly living with multimorbidity: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. Cad Saude Publica. 2020;36 Suppl 3:00196120.
  • 15
    Xu S, Li Y. Beware of the second wave of COVID-19. Lancet. 2020;395:1321-2.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    02 Apr 2021
  • Date of issue
    Oct-Dec 2021

History

  • Received
    22 Dec 2020
  • Accepted
    30 Dec 2020
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