The COVID-19 Pandemic Knowledge, Attitude, Anxiety, and the Perceived Mental Healthcare Needs among Filipino Respondents

Abstract

This paper focuses on the lives of Filipinos at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It investigates the knowledge, attitude, anxiety, and perceived mental healthcare needs as Filipinos continuously experience the pandemic. This research is a quantitative cross-sectional study. A self-report online survey was conducted on (N=939) Filipino respondents utilizing a nonprobability purposive sampling technique. Results reveal that respondents have adequate knowledge that the COVID-19 virus is highly contagious. The attitude towards COVID-19 shows respondents’ compliance with self-quarantine and social distancing. Respondents felt the need to wash their hands frequently due to anxiety. They are anxiously distracted, worried for themselves and family about the widespread of the disease. Filipino anxiety has reached the point of seeking professional help, demonstrating the necessity of talking to a mental health professional if panic persists. Thus, those affected by the pandemic should avail themselves of mental healthcare services. Strengthening mental health providers’ services may be recommended to address the psycho-social needs of Filipinos during an outbreak.