Perception and practice of social distancing among Egyptians in COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: Social distancing is principally intended to reduce infectious disease transmission by decreasing interactions among people in a broader community. Keeping social distancing is an essential public health measure to resist the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: a cross sectional study was conducted among 1,036 Egyptians using an online questionnaire between 5 and 10 May 2020. RESULTS: There was significant association between the practice of social distancing and some sociodemographic factors as sex, age, education, working status, and place of residence at p value < 0.001 and with community of residence at p value 0.021. CONCLUSIONS: Egyptians had good perception for social distancing to prevent transmission of COVID 19, but they were not strictly practicing it.