COVID-19 and the public response: Knowledge, attitude and practice of the public in mitigating the pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journal
PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
Titre abrégé: PLoS One
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101285081
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
received:
09
06
2020
accepted:
16
12
2020
entrez:
7
1
2021
pubmed:
8
1
2021
medline:
15
1
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global community in many ways. Combating the COVID-19 pandemic requires a coordinated effort through engaging public and service providers in preventive measures. The government of Ethiopia had already announced prevention guidelines for the public. However, there is a scarcity of evidence-based data on the public knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and response of the service providers regarding COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the public KAP and service providers' preparedness towards the pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from late March to the first week of April 2020. Participants were conveniently sampled from 10 different city sites. Data collection was performed using a self-administered questionnaire and observational assessment using a checklist. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient and chi-square tests were performed. A total of 839 public participants and 420 service providers enrolled in the study. The mean age was 30.30 (range = 18-72) years. The majority of the respondents (58.6%) had moderate knowledge about COVID-19, whereas 37.2% had good knowledge. Moreover, 60.7% and 59.8% of the participants had a positive attitude towards preventive measures and good practice to mitigate the pandemic, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude, whereas the correlations between knowledge and practice and attitude and practice were weak. With regard to service providers' preparedness, 70% have made hand-washing facilities available. A large majority of the respondents (84.4%) were using government-owned media followed by social media (46.0%) as a main source of information. The public in Addis Ababa had moderate knowledge, an optimistic attitude and descent practice. The information flow from government and social media seemed successful seeing the majority of the respondents identifying preventive measures, signs and symptoms and transmission route of SARS-CoV-2. Knowledge and attitude was not associated with practice, thus, additional innovative strategies for practice changes are needed. Two thirds of the service provider made available hand washing facilities which seems a first positive step. However, periodic evaluation of the public KAP and assessment of service providers' preparedness is mandatory to combat the pandemic effectively.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global community in many ways. Combating the COVID-19 pandemic requires a coordinated effort through engaging public and service providers in preventive measures. The government of Ethiopia had already announced prevention guidelines for the public. However, there is a scarcity of evidence-based data on the public knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and response of the service providers regarding COVID-19.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the public KAP and service providers' preparedness towards the pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
METHODS
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from late March to the first week of April 2020. Participants were conveniently sampled from 10 different city sites. Data collection was performed using a self-administered questionnaire and observational assessment using a checklist. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient and chi-square tests were performed.
RESULT
A total of 839 public participants and 420 service providers enrolled in the study. The mean age was 30.30 (range = 18-72) years. The majority of the respondents (58.6%) had moderate knowledge about COVID-19, whereas 37.2% had good knowledge. Moreover, 60.7% and 59.8% of the participants had a positive attitude towards preventive measures and good practice to mitigate the pandemic, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude, whereas the correlations between knowledge and practice and attitude and practice were weak. With regard to service providers' preparedness, 70% have made hand-washing facilities available. A large majority of the respondents (84.4%) were using government-owned media followed by social media (46.0%) as a main source of information.
CONCLUSION
The public in Addis Ababa had moderate knowledge, an optimistic attitude and descent practice. The information flow from government and social media seemed successful seeing the majority of the respondents identifying preventive measures, signs and symptoms and transmission route of SARS-CoV-2. Knowledge and attitude was not associated with practice, thus, additional innovative strategies for practice changes are needed. Two thirds of the service provider made available hand washing facilities which seems a first positive step. However, periodic evaluation of the public KAP and assessment of service providers' preparedness is mandatory to combat the pandemic effectively.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33411766
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244780
pii: PONE-D-20-17538
pmc: PMC7790293
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e0244780Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Références
Nature. 2020 Mar;579(7798):270-273
pubmed: 32015507
PLoS One. 2020 Jul 29;15(7):e0236918
pubmed: 32726340
Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2020 Aug;166:108344
pubmed: 32710997
JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020 Apr 9;6(2):e18444
pubmed: 32250960
Clin Lab Med. 2009 Dec;29(4):715-24
pubmed: 19892230
BMJ Glob Health. 2017 Dec 04;2(4):e000285
pubmed: 29259820
Infect Drug Resist. 2020 Jun 24;13:1949-1960
pubmed: 32612371
J Glob Health. 2020 Jun;10(1):011007
pubmed: 32566169
Trends Microbiol. 2016 Jun;24(6):490-502
pubmed: 27012512
Nat Rev Microbiol. 2019 Mar;17(3):181-192
pubmed: 30531947
BMC Infect Dis. 2018 Jul 6;18(1):312
pubmed: 29980174
J Community Health. 2021 Jun;46(3):457-470
pubmed: 32638198
Front Public Health. 2020 May 27;8:217
pubmed: 32574300
J Virol. 2012 Apr;86(7):3995-4008
pubmed: 22278237
N Engl J Med. 2020 Feb 20;382(8):727-733
pubmed: 31978945
N Engl J Med. 2020 Jul 16;383(3):e11
pubmed: 32302075
PLoS One. 2021 Jan 28;16(1):e0234585
pubmed: 33507906
Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jul 21;173(2):100-109
pubmed: 32271861
BMC Public Health. 2012 Aug 23;12:692
pubmed: 22917489
PLoS One. 2020 May 21;15(5):e0233668
pubmed: 32437434
PLoS One. 2020 May 21;15(5):e0233744
pubmed: 32437432
Int J Biol Sci. 2020 Mar 15;16(10):1745-1752
pubmed: 32226294