Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding COVID-19 among hospitalized patients in Taizhou, China

OBJECTION: This study investigated the relationship between the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among hospitalized patients regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19. METHOD: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among hospitalized patients between July 8 and August 11, 2021, at a tertiary hospital in Taizhou, China. We performed descriptive analysis, t test, ANOVA (analysis of variance), and generalized linear regression modeling on the exported data. All data were analyzed using R software, version 4.1.0. RESULTS: A total of 1185 valid questionnaires were returned. The average score of the participants on COVID-19 behaviors was 69.3 (SD = 15.6, with a full score of 87), indicating that most inpatients had good COVID-19 prevention and control behaviors. In addition, we found that inpatients with higher COVID-19 awareness also behaved better (B (95%CI) = 1.00 (0.73–1.27)) and were more willing to recommend vaccination to other people (OR (95%CI) = 1.11 (1.06–1.17)). Moreover, hospitalized patients who had positive attitudes toward implementing COVID-19 prevention and control measures had better practices (B (95%CI) = 2.50 (2.24–2.76)) and more willingness to recommend vaccinations (OR (95%CI) = 1.20 (1.14–1.26)). CONCLUSION: The research showed that the COVID-19 behaviors of hospitalized patients were positively associated with their knowledge and attitudes. These findings suggested that, for inpatients, hospitals should focus on teaching basic prevention knowledge of COVID-19. Targeted education initiatives should also be developed for patients from rural areas, especially those over 60 years of age, to help improve their knowledge and cultivate good prevention and control behaviors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-022-01796-y.