Knowledge, Attitude, and Precautionary Measures Towards COVID-19 Among Medical Visitors at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was designated a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. COVID-19 has no effective treatment; nonetheless, early recognition of the disease and applying prevention strategies will help to mitigate the virus propagation.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and precautionary measures of medical center visitors at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 15 to August 15, 2020. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by using a pre-tested structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. To explain the study variables, frequency tables, figures, and percentages were used. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to see the association between independent and dependent variables.

Results

The prevalence of poor knowledge, attitude, and precautionary measures was 42.2%, 39%, and 41.6%, respectively. Being female (AOR=2.79, 95% CI=1.752–4.44), divorced (AOR=0.29, 95% CI=0.09–0.88), and residing in a rural location (AOR=1.93, 95% CI=1.07–3.26) were significantly associated with poor knowledge. Being female (AOR=95%, CI=1.21–2.98), a farmer (AOR=4.13, 95% CI=1.60–10.63), residing in a rural location (AOR=2.53, 95% CI=1.31–4.88), poor knowledge (AOR=2.38, 95% CI=1.52–3.72), and negative attitude (AOR=3.25, 95% CI=2.07–5.09) were significantly associated with poor precautionary measures. Increasing income in one unit of Ethiopian birr (ETB) (AOR=0.26, 95% CI=0.031–0.051) was significantly associated with negative attitude.

Conclusion

The finding of this study showed that more than one-third of the participants had poor knowledge, attitude, and precautionary measures towards COVID-19 disease. A comprehensive health education program concerning knowledge, attitude, and precautionary measures toward COVID-19 ought to be strengthened.

Keywords:

• coronavirus
• COVID-19
• attitude
• knowledge
• precautionary measures

Acknowledgment

Our deepest gratitude goes to the University of Gondar for all expenses of this research work and study participants participated in this research. The authors also would like to give togreat appreciation to the data collectors (Misganew Tilahun, Ketemaw Tsegeye, and Jember Ayalew) and supervisor (Eneye Hussien) for their contribution to this paper.

Abbreviations

AOR, adjusted odds ratio; COVID-19, novel coronavirus disease 2019; COR, crude odds ratio; KAP, knowledge, attitude, and precautionary measures; SARS 2-COV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; WHO, World Health Organization; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Data and Material Availability

The raw data is available in online repositories as supplementary material (see supplementary file1: Table S1).

Ethical Approval and Consent of Participating

The study was performed based on the ethical standards put down in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethical review committee of the school of nursing and college of health science of University Gondar with ethical clearance letter reference number IRB 00109. The official permission letter was obtained from the University of Gondar hospital administration. After understanding the purpose of the study, written informed consent was obtained from study participants. Confidentiality of participants’ information was kept.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.