Perception and Cognition of COVID-19 and Its Dietary Implications: A prospective Study in Bangladesh

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected public health, influencing perceptions, cognitive responses, and dietary behaviors globally. In Bangladesh, where socioeconomic diversity is high, understanding these changes is essential for public health planning. Objective: This study aimed to assess the perception and cognition of COVID-19 among the Bangladeshi population and to examine the association between these factors and changes in dietary behavior during the pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2021 across various regions in Bangladesh. A total of 4,116 participants were recruited using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires evaluating participants' perceptions, cognition regarding COVID-19, and changes in dietary habits. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were used to assess associations, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The study found that 62.8% of participants perceived COVID-19 as a severe health threat, which significantly influenced dietary behavior. Specifically, 49.3% of respondents reported an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, while 32.7% increased their intake of processed foods. Participants with higher COVID-19 awareness were 1.8 times more likely to increase their consumption of immunity-boosting foods (p = 0.03). Additionally, 54.1% of those with a strong cognitive understanding of COVID-19 reduced their intake of unhealthy foods, compared to 29.4% with lower understanding (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The perception and cognition of COVID-19 significantly influenced dietary behaviors in Bangladesh. Enhancing public understanding of COVID-19 is crucial to promoting healthier dietary practices during pandemics.