*3.2. Attitude towards COVID-19*

The responses to section II of the study questionnaire revealed the variable attitude of our sample population towards COVID-19. We found that 38.5% of our study population searched for treatment to strengthen their immune system. Moreover, 36.4% had the feeling that they were infected with COVID-19 once a week, whereas 10.6% had this feeling 3 times per week, and 3.9% had this feeling daily.

About one-fourth (*N* = 74; 26.1%) of the sample population had visited a doctor to assure themselves that they were infection-free, while 12% (*N* = 34) underwent a PCR or laboratory test to confirm the absence of infection. Seeking psychiatric consultation occurred in 2.8%, whereas 9.5% of our sample population used anxiolytics. Moreover, 17% of our study participants had a confirmed COVID-19 infection. Unfortunately, all of them reported that they were abused by others, whether by hints, looks, words (62.5%), or by avoidance of direct interaction (37.5%) (Table 2).

**Table 2. Population attitude towards the COVID-19 pandemic.** Responses to section II of the study questionnaire, which included questions about the attitudes and reactions of our sample Egyptian population towards COVID-19. Data are expressed as numbers (*N*) and percentages (*%*).

