Objective  To examine the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among residents in Zhejiang province during epidemic period and to provide evidences for developing effective strategies on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic.

  Methods  We conducted an online voluntary survey among 1 081 residents in Zhejiang province from January 30 to February 2, 2020, one month after the outbreak of COVID-19. A self-designed questionnaire on KAP about COVID-19 prevention and control was disseminated via Wechat platform.

  Results  Among the respondents, the reported rate of awareness on the incubation period of COVID-19 was 97.50% and the rate varied significantly with education (P < 0.05); the reported rate of awareness on the transmission routes of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was 67.81% and the rate differed significantly by gender, education, and occupation (P < 0.05 for all). Of the respondents, 29.32% (317) and 67.79% (668) reported general and severe epidemic related nervousness but only 8.88% (96) did not reported the nervousness; there were significant disparities in the proportions among the respondents of different gender, age, education, and occupation (P < 0.05 for all). The ratio of respondents reporting correct ways of wearing mask, hand washing, and cough etiquette was 58.28%, 55.78%, and 33.58%, respectively. The reported ratio of correct hand washing was significantly associated with age and occupation (P < 0.05); the reported ratios of correct mask wearing and cough etiquette were correlated to occupation (both P < 0.05). The main routes of acquiring COVID-19 epidemic-related knowledge included WeChat public account (reported by 81.31% of the respondents), news and information app lication (71.60%), WeChat circle of friends (70.86%), and television and radio broadcasting (70.12%). Among the respondents, the most required information were government′s measures for COVID-19 epidemic control and prevention (listed by 96.76% of the respondents), followed by the methods and skills to protect themselves and their family members (90.29%) and progress in researches on COVID-19 prevention and treatment (88.16%).

  Conclusion  Among the residents in Zhejiang province, the rate of awareness on the transmission route of 2019 novel coronavirus is low but the prevalence of COVID-19 epidemic-related nervousness is high; and health education on correct mask wearing, hand washing and s and cough etiquette should be improved.