Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 11(6), pp. 877 - 887
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110612
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Community Awareness and Performance regarding the Safe Use of Disinfectants and Household Cleaners during the Spread of COVID-19 in Lebanon

Wissam Ghach ^1,*, Sara Abou Ibrahim ², Areej Merhi ³, Vanessa Buhamdan ⁴, Nermeen Bou Ghannam ⁴, Rina Salhab ^1
1 Faculty of Communication, Art and Sciences, Department of Public Health, Canadian University Dubai (CUD), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
² School of Education and Social Work, Department of Education, Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS), Damour, Lebanon
³ School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University (LAU), Byblos and Beirut, Lebanon
⁴ School of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS), Damour, Lebanon

ABSTRACT

To reduce the spread and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the application of disinfectants and household cleaning products became a common practice worldwide during the pandemic. However, the literature revealed that these practices were associated with limited knowledge of chemical safety and resulted in several health hazards. This pilot study aims to assess the awareness and the performance of the Lebanese community regarding the safe use of household disinfectants and cleaners during the COVID-19 spread. This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the extent, to which the public community in Lebanon safely handles disinfectants and household cleaning products. An Awareness-Performance questionnaire was adapted from the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and Arabic-translated [1]. 922 respondents (aged ≥ 18 years old) participated electronically, and their data was analyzed using SPSS descriptive analysis and the Chi-Square test for significant differences (p < 0.05) among the studied variables. The study population showed lower percentages of awareness than performance regarding the safe usage of disinfectants and household cleaners. The highest percentages with significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected among females, university graduates, younger people, and participants who had not been previously diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. Consequently, the study recommends additional investigations and awareness initiatives to be implemented in Lebanon.

KEYWORDS
Lebanon, COVID-19, Awareness, Performance, Disinfectants, Household Cleaners

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Wissam Ghach , Sara Abou Ibrahim , Areej Merhi , Vanessa Buhamdan , Nermeen Bou Ghannam , Rina Salhab , "Community Awareness and Performance regarding the Safe Use of Disinfectants and Household Cleaners during the Spread of COVID-19 in Lebanon," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 11, No. 6, pp. 877 - 887, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110612.

(b). APA Format:
Wissam Ghach , Sara Abou Ibrahim , Areej Merhi , Vanessa Buhamdan , Nermeen Bou Ghannam , Rina Salhab (2023). Community Awareness and Performance regarding the Safe Use of Disinfectants and Household Cleaners during the Spread of COVID-19 in Lebanon. Universal Journal of Public Health, 11(6), 877 - 887. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110612.