Nagongbilige He,1 Siqing Tunala,2 Rihan Wu,1 Changbao Zhao,1 Tuya Wuren,1 Caihela Hushuud1 

1Department of Mongolian Psychosomatic Medicine, Ordos Mongolian Hospital, Ordos, 017000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gastroenterology, Ordos Mongolian Hospital, Ordos, 017000, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Siqing Tunala, Department of Gastroenterology, Ordos Mongolian Hospital, Ordos, 017000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-1864774591, Email tutu88600@126.com

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among community populations toward Long COVID.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2023 and June 2023 at the Ordos Mongolian hospital and Ordos Central Hospital in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China, employing a self-designed questionnaire to collect demographic data from community populations and evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward Long COVID.
Results: A total of 591 participants were enrolled in this study. Among them, 343 (58.04%) were female and 317 (53.64%) aged 40 to 59 years. The mean knowledge, attitudes and practices scores were 6.02± 1.19 (possible range: 0– 7), 26.83± 2.96 (possible range: 7– 35), and 45.91± 7.20 (possible range: 11– 55), respectively. The Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitudes (r=0.210, P< 0.001), and attitudes and practices (r=0.476, P< 0.001). The structural equation model demonstrated that knowledge positively affect attitudes, as indicated by a path coefficient of 1.028 (P< 0.001), and attitudes positively affect practices, with a path coefficient of 0.817 (P< 0.001).
Conclusion: Although our findings indicate that community populations generally have adequate knowledge, active attitudes, and proactive practices regarding Long COVID, there is still a need for healthcare providers to further enhance Long COVID awareness in the community. This involves fostering positive attitudes through open communication, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and treatment adherence, and encouraging continued adherence to preventive measures.

Keywords: knowledge, attitudes, practices, long COVID, cross-sectional study, community, China, questionnaire, structural equation model