Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Among the Adult Population in Bangladesh: A Review [Review article]
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented structural strains on the public health architecture of dense, resource-limited nations like Bangladesh. Evaluating the population's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is a prerequisite for optimizing risk communication frameworks and establishing pandemic preparedness protocols. This narrative review synthesizes empirical evidence spanning a five-year window to map demographic trends, identify core determinants of KAP compliance, and critique persistent public health communication gaps among Bangladeshi adults. Methods: A systematic narrative synthesis was conducted utilizing peer-reviewed literature published across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar between January 2020 and December 2024. Eligible inclusion parameters targeted cross-sectional community surveys evaluating at least one KAP domain among adult populations (≥18 years) residing within Bangladesh. Results: Synthesis of the twenty-two included baseline studies demonstrated moderately high general knowledge (ranging from 60% to 85%) regarding viral transmission pathways, standard symptomatology, and primary barrier preventions. However, critical misconceptions regarding asymptomatic transmission pathways, climate impacts, and traditional remedies persisted, driven largely by unvetted social media distribution networks. While attitudes toward institutional lockdowns and barrier preventions remained largely positive, significant social stigmas toward frontline workers and infected individuals were documented. Adherence to strict preventive practices (hand hygiene, mask protocols, and social distancing metrics) peaked during initial waves but suffered a precipitous longitudinal decline due to behavioral risk fatigue, optimism bias, and socio-economic pressures. Key positive determinants of superior KAP scoring metrics included elevated formal education, urban residence, higher socioeconomic status, and digital/internet literacy. Conclusion: Although Bangladesh attained commendable baseline thresholds of public health awareness and positive preventative attitudes during the acute pandemic timeline, a significant knowledge-to-practice translation gap remains. Strategic policy frameworks must focus on mitigating behavioral risk fatigue, correcting digitized misinformation channels, and building localized communication interventions tailored explicitly to vulnerable rural and digitally isolated demographics to fortify national emergency health responses.
Author: Mazharul Islam, Mohammad
Institution: Ad-din Momin Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212370061