Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

<jats:p>Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a common respiratory infection and a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Public awareness and preventive behaviors (including vaccination and health-seeking practices) can influence CAP outcomes. J Health Dev.2026, 61(1) https://doi.org/10.32921/2663-1776-2026-61-1-jhd053Objective. To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding CAP among adults in Astana and to examine interrelationships between KAP components.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 182 adult residents of Astana using a structured questionnaire (socio-demographic characteristics, health status,vaccination, and KAP items). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman correlation, multivariable logistic regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM).Results. Overall KAP levels were moderate. Women had slightly lower practice scores than men, while attitude scores were higher among men (p&lt;0.05). Pneumococcal vaccination and chronic disease status were associated with selected KAP components. SEM showed that knowledge positively influenced attitudes (β=0.495, p&lt;0.001), attitudes positively influenced practices (β=0.612, p&lt;0.001), and knowledge had a marginal direct effect on practices (β=0.192, p=0.056). Spearman correlations confirmed moderate positive relationships among KAP components (ρ=0.351–0.461, p&lt;0.001).Conclusion. Knowledge is important for shaping attitudes, and attitudes are strongly linked to preventive practices. Interventions that improve knowledge may foster more positive attitudes and better preventive behaviors.Keywords: community-acquired pneumonia, knowledge, attitudes, practices, adults, cross-sectional study.</jats:p>