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

Figures & data

Table 1 Socio-Demographic Characteristics Visitors in UOGCSH, 2020 (N=387)

Variables	Category	N	Percent (%)
Sex	Male	203	52.5
	Female	184	47.5
Age	Mean (±SD) of age (in years)	29.58	±5.62
Marital status	Single	201	51.9
	Married	164	42.4
	Divorced	22	5.7
Occupation	Farmer	133	34.4
	Government employee	33	8.5
	Currently unemployed	52	13.4
	Private employee	79	20.4
	Student	90	23.3
Educational level	Cannot read and write	17	4.4
	Read and write	345	89.1
	Secondary school and above	25	6.5
Residency	Urban	51	13.2
	Rural	336	86.8
Income (ETB)	Mean (±SD) of age (in years)	5,765	±1,808.9

Abbreviations: ETB, Ethiopian birr; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Knowledge of COVID-19 Among Visitors of UOGCSH, 2020 (N=387)

Knowledge Questions	Frequency
	Yes, N (%)	No, N (%)
Main clinical symptom of COVID-19 is fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue	224 (57.9)*	163 (42.1)
Unlike the common cold, stuffy nose, running nose, and sneezing are less common in persons infected with COVID-19 virus	198 (51.2)*	189 (48.8)
COVID-19 symptoms appear within 2–14 week	296 (76.5)*	91 (23.5)
Currently, there is no effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19, but early supportive treatment can help most patients to recover from infection	300 (77.5)*	87 (22.5)
Not all persons with COVID-19 will develop severe cases. Those who are elderly, have chronic illness, and suppressed immunity are more likely to have severe cases	189 (48.8)*	198 (51.2)
Touching or shaking hands of an infected person would result in being infected by COVID-19	161 (41.6)*	226 (58.4)
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, touching your mouse,nose, or eye with unwashed hands would result in infection by COVID-19 virus	217 (56.1)*	170 (43.9)
The COVID-19 virus was spread via respiratory droplet of infected individuals	192 (49.6)*	195 (50.4)
Persons with COVID-19 cannot spread the virus to others if they have no symptoms of COVID-19	235 (60.7)	152 (39.3)*
Wearing a mask when moving out of home is important to prevent infection with COVID-19 virus	201 (51.9)*	186 (48.1)
Children and young adults do not need to take measures to prevent the infection by COVID-19 virus	216 (55.8)	171 (44.2)*
Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use of an alcohol based sanitizer (60%) is important to prevent infection with COVID-19	205 (53)*	182 (47)
To prevent COVID-19 infection individuals avoid going to crowded place such as public transportation, market, religious place hospital, and work place	202 (52.2)*	185 (47.8)
Traveling to an infectious area or having contact with someone who has traveled to an area where infection is present is a risk for developing infection	157 (40.6)*	230 (59.4)
Isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients are effective ways to reduce the spreadof the COVID-19 virus	210 (54.3)*	177 (45.7)
People who have contact with someone infected with the COVID-19 virus should be immediately isolated in a proper place	212 (54.8)*	175 (45.2)
The overall level of knowledge
Good	135 (34.8)
Moderate	81 (21)
Poor	171 (44.2)

Note: *Indicates that frequency of correct response.

Abbreviations: COVID-19, novel coronavirus disease 2019; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Table 3 Cross-Tabulation of Socio-Demographic Variables with Participants’ Knowledge About COVID-19 Among Visitors of UOGCSH, 2020 (N=387)

Variables	Poor Knowledge		OR (95%) CI
	Yes (n=171)	No (n=216)	COR	AOR
Sex
Male	113 (29.2)	90 (23.2)	1	1
Female	58 (15)	126 (32.6)	2.73 (1.79–4.14)	2.79 (1.75–4.44)**
Age	31.47±6.4	28.09±4.4	0.25 (0.107–1.240)	0.17 (0.10–1.23)
Marital status
Single	79 (20.4)	122 (31.5)	1	1
Married	76 (19.7)	88 (22.7)	0.75 (0.49–1.14)	0.72 (0.42–1.2)
Divorced	16 (4.1)	6 (1.6)	0.24 (0.09–0.65)	0.29 (0.09–0.88)*
Occupation
Government employed	19 (4.9)	14 (3.6)	1	1
Private employed	30 (7.8)	49 (12.7)	2.22 (0.970–5.07)	1.43 (0.57–3.63)
Farmer	65 (16.8)	68 (17.6)	1.42 (0.658–3.06)	0.84 (0.35–1.99)
Currently unemployed	19 (4.9)	33 (8.5)	2.36 (0.96–5.75)	1.79 (0.662–4.87)
Student	38 (9.8)	52 (13.4)	1.86 (0.828–4.16)	1.23 (0.49–3.08)
Educational level
Cannot read and write	5 (1.3)	12 (3.1)	1	1
Read and write	152 (39.3)	193 (49.9)	0.52 (0.182–1.53)	0.53 (0.167–1.707)
Secondary and above	14 (3.6)	11 (2.8)	0.33 (0.09–1.21)	0.36 (0.08–1.59)
Residency				1
Urban	30 (7.8)	21 (5.4)	1
Rural	141 (36.4)	195 (50.4)	1.97 (1.08–3.59)	1.67 (1.07–3.26)*
Income (ETB)	5929.3±2073.7	5635.1±1560.8	0.59 (0.11–0.1.5)	0.57 (0.01–1.2)

Notes: *Statistically significant (P-value<0.05); **Statistically highly significant (P-value<0.01).

Abbreviations: AOR, adjusted odds ratio; COR, crude odds ratio; ETB, Ethiopian birr; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Table 4 Attitude of COVID-19 Among Visitors of UOGCSH, 2020 (N=387)

Attitude Questions	High	Moderate	Low	Very Low
	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)
Level of risk of infection with COVID-19	93 (24)	66 (17.1)	123 (31.8)	105 (27.1)
How much you protect yourself from the disease?	60(15.5)	62 (16)	82 (21.2)	183 (47.3)
Being infected with COVID-19 to you is	68 (17.6) Highly threatening	48 (12.4) Moderately threatening	151 (39) Easy	120 (31) Not known
Washing hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap or using sanitizer is	87 (22.5) very easy	73 (18.9) Easy	132 (34.1) Difficult	94 (24.3) Very difficult
Avoiding touching face with unwashed hands	117 (30.2)	83 (21.4)	118 (30.5)	69 (17.8)
Avoid shaking others	124 (32)	84 (21.7)	122 (31.5)	57 (14.7)
Avoiding attending in a crowded population	105 (27.1)	68 (17.6)	155 (40.1)	59 (15.2)
Practicing physical distancing	147 (38)	92 (23.8)	110 (28.4)	38 (9.8)
Covering mouth or nose during cough or sneeze elbow/or tissue	124 (32)	77 (19.9)	126 (32.6)	60 (15.5)
Avoid close contact with sick people	155 (40.1)	104 (26.9)	77 (19.9)	51 (13.2)
Using a mask when leaving home	122 (31.5)	91 (23.5)	122 (31.5)	52 (13.4)
Listening and following the direction of state and local authorities	148 (38.2)	92 (23.8)	95 (24.5)	52 (13.4)
Isolating oneself if get sick to avoid the spread	109 (28.2)	81 (20.9)	146 (37.7)	51 (13.2)
Staying at home to minimize infection	155 (40.1)	87 (22.5)	102 (26.4)	43 (11.1)
The Overall level of attitude
Positive	118 (30.4)
Fair	108 (28)
Negative	161 (41.6)

Abbreviations: COVID-19, novel coronavirus disease 2019; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Table 5 Cross-Tabulation of Socio-Demographic Variables with Participants’ Attitude About COVID-19 Among Visitors of UOGCSH, 2020 (N=387)

Variables	Negative Attitude		OR (95%) CI
	Yes (n=161)	No (n=226)	COR	AOR
Sex
Male	88 (22.7)	115 (29.8)	1
Female	73 (18.7)	111 (28.8)	1.16 (0.77–1.74)
Age	29.31±5.21	29.96±6.157	0.12 (0.02–1.29)	0.07 (0.04–1.23)
Marital status
Single	74 (19.1)	127 (32.8)	1	1
Married	75 (19.4)	89 (23)	0.69 (0.45–1.05)	0.890 (0.560–1.41)
Divorced	12 (3.1)	10 (2.6)	0.49 (0.20–1.18)	0.48 (0.19–1.22)
Occupation
Government employed	12 (3.1)	21 (5.4)	1
Private employed	33 (8.5)	46 (11.9)	0.79 (0.34–1.84)
Farmer	56 (14.5)	77 (19.9)	0.79 (0.36–1.73)
Currently unemployed	20 (5.2)	32 (8.3)	0.91 (0.37–2.25)
Student	40 (10.3)	50 (12.9)	0.71 (0.31–1.62)
Educational level
Secondary and above	6 (1.6)	11 (2.8)	1	1
Read and write	143 (36.9)	202 (52.2)	0.77 (0.28–2.131)
Cannot read and write	12 (3.1)	13 (3.4)	0.59 (0.17–2.09)
Residency
Urban	17 (4.4)	34 (8.8)	1	1
Rural	144 (37.2)	192 (49.6)	1.50 (0.806–2.79)	1.49 (0.782–2.83)
Income (ETB)	5,409.42±403.94	6,264.32±2,166.4	0.230 (0.041–0.061)	0.26 (0.031–0.051)**

Note: **Statistically significant (P-value less 0.05).

Abbreviations: AOR, adjusted odds ratio; COR, crude odds ratio; ETB, Ethiopian birr; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Table 6 Precautionary Measures of COVID-19 Among Participants’ of UOGCSH, 2020 (N=387)

Questions	Frequency
	Yes, N(%)	No, N(%)
Do you participate in meeting in any crowded place in areas with ongoing community transmission?	228 (58.9)	159 (41.1)*
In recent days, have you worn a mask when leaving home?	293 (75.7)*	92 (23.8)
If you yes, do you touch the front of the mask when taking it off?	207 (53.5)	178 (46)*
Do you reuse the mask?	245 (63.3)*	142 (36.7)
Do you wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 second or use sanitizer/60% sanitizer?	263 (68)*	124 (32)
Do you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth frequently with unwashed hands?	263 (68)	124 (32)*
Do you clean and disinfect frequently touched objects or surfaces?	163 (42.1)*	224 (57.9)
Do you practice “physical distancing” by 2 meters away at all time?	198 (51.2)*	189 (48.8)
Do you use other workers phone, desk office, or other equipment?	162 (41.9)	225 (58.1)*
Do you limit contact (such as handshake)?	180 (46.5)*	207 (53.5)
Do you eat or drink in bar and restaurant?	226 (58.4)*	161 (41.6)
Do you cover your mouth and nose during coughing and sneezing with elbow or tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash?	160 (41.3)*	227 (58.7)
Do you prefer to stay at home, in room with window open during the transmission period?	178 (46)*	209 (54)
Do you stay at home when you are sick due to common cold-like infection during the transmission period?	191 (49.4)*	196 (50.6)
Do you listen and follow the direction of your state local authorities?	164 (42.4)*	223 (57.6)
The overall level of practice
Good	124 (32)
Moderate	112 (29)
Poor	151 (39)

Note: *Indicates that frequency of correct response.

Abbreviations: COVID-19, novel coronavirus disease 2019; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Table 7 Cross-Tabulation of Socio-Demographic Variables with Participants’ Precautionary Measures About COVID-19 Among Visitors of UOGCSH, 2020 (n=387)

Variables	Poor Precautionary Measures		OR (95%) CI
	Yes (N=151)	No (N=236)	COR	AOR
Sex
Male	94 (24.3)	109 (28.2)	1	1
Female	57 (14.7)	127 (32.8)	1.92 (1.27–2.92)	1.9 (1.21–2.98)**
Age	30.03±5.33	29.29±5.8	0.064 (0.014–1.04)	0.063 (0.014–1.03)
Marital status
Single	76 (19.6)	125 (32.3)	1	1
Married	63 (16.3)	101 (26.1)	0.97 (0.64–1.49)	0.85 (0.53–1.37)
Divorced	12 (3.1)	10 (2.6)	0.51 (0.21–1.23)	0.56 (0.21–1.5)
Occupation
Government employed	24 (6.2)	9 (2.3)	1	1
Private employed	26 (6.7)	53 (13.7)	5.43 (2.21–13.34)	4.13 (1.60–10.63)*
Farmer	58 (15)	75 (19.4)	3.45 (1.49–7.98)	2.62 (1.08–6.33)**
Currently unemployed	12 (3.1)	40 (10.4)	8.89 (3.26–24.19)	7.41 (2.58–21.19)
Student	31 (8)	59 (15.2)	5.07 (2.10–12.25)	3.64 (1.45–9.19)
Educational level
Cannot read and write	4 (1)	13 (3.4)	1	1
Read and write	131 (33.9)	214 (55.3)	0.51 (0.16–1.57)	0.55 (0.17–1.79)
Secondary and above	16 (4.1)	9 (2.3)	0.17 (0.04–0.693)**	0.19 (0.04–0.84)
Residency
Urban	32 (8.3)	19 (4.9)	1	1
Rural	119 (30.7)	217 (56.1)	3.07 (1.67–5.65)	2.53 (1.31–4.88)**
Income (ETB)	5,879.6±2,112.4	5,691.8±1,585.2	0.051 (0.02–0.1.04)	0.038 (0.01–1.03)
Poor knowledgde
Yes	92 (23.8)	79 (20.4)	3.09 (2.03–4.74)	2.38 (1.52–3.72)
No	59 (15.2)	157 (40.6)	1	1
Negative attitude
Yes	93 (24)	68 (17.6)	3.96 (2.57–6.10)	3.25 (2.07–5.09)*
No	58 (15)	168 (43.4)	1	1

Notes: *Statistically significant (P-value<0.05); **Statistically highly significant (P-value,<0.01).

Abbreviations: AOR, adjusted odds ratio; COR, crude odds ratio; ETB, Ethiopian Birr; UOGCSH, University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.