Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Toward COVID-19 Pandemic Among Population Visiting Dessie Health Center for COVID-19 Screening, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a global health threat and an international public health emergency. As of 21 January 2021, 97.8 million cases with more than two million deaths were recorded worldwide while in Ethiopia 132,326 confirmed cases and 2057 deaths were reported. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the magnitude of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 among the population who visited the health center for COVID-19 screening.

Methods

A health institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the 384 study population visiting Dessie health center for COVID-19 screening from September 1, to October 21, 2020 using a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information related to sociodemographic characteristics, Knowledge (eleven questions), attitude (six questions) and practice (nin questions). Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses with a 95% confidence interval were used to identify factors associated with poor knowledge and practice. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Out of the total study participants 61.5% were males, 52.6% of them were aged between 30 and 49 years and 85.2% of them were living in urban areas. The magnitude of poor knowledge and poor practice was 187 (48.7%) and 160 (41.7%), respectively. Poor knowledge had statistically significant association with Illiteracy (AOR= 5.53, 95%CI= 1.03-29.68, P= 0.046) and having no contact history (AOR=0.39, 95%CI=0.21–0.73, P=0.003). Statistically significant association existed between poor practice and parameters which addressed educational status, travel history, and poor knowledge level of study participants.

Conclusion

Alarmingly high poor knowledge, negatively skewed attitude, and poor practice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was indicated. Therefore, health education programs aimed at mobilizing and improving COVID-19-related knowledge, attitude, and practice are urgently needed, especially for those who are illiterate, having travel and contact history, or generally among underprivileged populations.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• KAP
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Wollo University and Dessie Health Center for their facility support during the whole research activity and to all study participants and Dessie Health Center staff members.

Abbreviations

COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; KAP, knowledge, attitude, practice; COR, crude odds ratio; AOR, adjusted odds ratio.

Data Sharing Statement

There are no material outputs from this study, and all data are those presented in the manuscript.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional ethical and review committee, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University. A permission letter was also obtained from the study site. The purpose and procedures of the study was explained to the study participants and to a parent/guardian. Besides, participants over the age of 18 provided informed consent and a parent or legal guardian provided written informed consent for participants under the age of 18 years. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Author Contributions

All authors made significant contributions to the conception and design, involved in data collection, data analysis, drafting, or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.