Prevalence of myths, misinformation, risky, and preventive behaviors regarding COVID-19 among hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of myths, misinformation, risky behaviors, and preventive practices concerning COVID-19 among patients hospitalized due to novel coronavirus infection in Chattogram, Bangladesh.Methods: This study utilized a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional online survey conducted among COVID-19 patients in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Data was collected through a validated, self-administered questionnaire distributed via Google Forms using a convenient sampling method with 408 participants. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 24.0. Independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify predictors of outcome variables.Results: Various myths were prevalent among COVID-19 patients, particularly during the initial wave of the pandemic. For instance, approximately half of the patients believed that regular consumption of black cumin, ginger, and clove, drinking hot water, and spraying bleaching powder could prevent coronavirus. Regression analyses indicated that factors such as having a family income exceeding BDT 50,000 [B=1.51 (95% CI: 0.27, 2.74)], regular media consumption [B=2.70 (95% CI: 1.41, 4.00)], and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic [B=3.15 (95% CI: 1.80, 4.49)] were predictive of better COVID-19 knowledge. Additionally, being female [B=-4.33 (95% CI: -5.41, -3.26)], residing in urban areas [B=1.73 (95% CI: 0.69, 2.77)], obtaining COVID-19 information from online media [B=1.16 (95% CI: 0.02, 2.30)], and contracting the infection during the first wave of the pandemic [B=-2.08 (95% CI: -3.22, -0.93)] were significantly associated with adherence to regular COVID-19 preventive behavior.Conclusion: This study underscores the prevalence of COVID-19-related myths and misinformation among hospitalized patients in Chattogram, Bangladesh, impacting both risky and preventive behaviors. The results emphasize the urgent need for tailored public health education and strategies in Bangladesh to combat misinformation and promote compliance with recommended preventive measures, thereby facilitating effective pandemic management in resource-limited settings.