Knowledge, attitudes, and sociodemographic factors related to COVID-19 among older people living in the community in Malaysia

Although older people are at a higher risk of COVID‑19 infection, there is a lack of research that focuses on COVID‑19 in older people in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes related to COVID‑19, and to identify the association of sociodemographic background with knowledge and attitudes towards COVID‑19 among older people.

This is a cross‑sectional study involving 382 older people living in the community in Malaysia. Data was collected using convenience sampling through an online questionnaire that consisted of three parts: sociodemographic details, knowledge, and attitude related to COVID‑19.

The overall correct rate of knowledge was 77.3%, indicating that participants had slightly good knowledge related to COVID‑19. The participants showed a positive attitude with a mean score of 26.0 (SD = 5.0). There were significant associations between knowledge and education level (P = 0.00) and marital status (P = 0.02). Marital status was significantly associated with attitude towards COVID‑19 (P = 0.03). A weak positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.17, P = 0.00) suggesting that an increase in knowledge will increase the positive attitude among older people.

Older people reported good knowledge and positive attitudes towards COVID‑19. The Malaysian government should provide relevant health education for those with lower education levels and divorced or widowed to improve knowledge and attitudes towards COVID‑19.