Community’s Knowledge and Prevention Practice against COVID-19: North Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: In Ethiopia, the first case of the disease was reported on March 12, 2020. Since then, the government has taken measures like suspending large gatherings, contact tracing, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing. However, there have been no studies that examined the status of knowledge and prevention practice of the community in the North Showa zone, Oromia region, against COVID-19. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and prevention practice of the community against COVID-19.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the North Showa, Oromia region, from April 23-May 23, 2020. Data were collected from 633 community members using a pretested structured questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was used to select participants. The data were entered into EpiData Version 4.4.6 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with knowledge and prevention practice against severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Two hundred eighty-five (46.9 %) of the study participants had good knowledge against COVID-19, whereas only 106 (17.6%) of the respondents had good practice of preventive measures against COVID-19. Urban residents (AOR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.43, 4.92) were more likely to have good knowledge than their rural counterparts. Having good knowledge among uneducated study participants was lower by 81% (AOR=0.191; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.51) as compared to those who had a diploma or degree. The study participants that had no formal education at all were less likely to take preventive measures against COVID-19 (AOR=0.344; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.98), compared to those who had diplomas or degrees.

Conclusion: In this study, nearly half and one-fifth of the study participants had good knowledge and good practice of preventive measures against COVID-19, respectively. Hence, the zonal health office in collaboration with stakeholders like Ethiopian Public Health Institutes and the Federal Ministry of Health should continue the provision of health information dissemination to the community members who are at risk.

Keywords: Community; COVID-19; Knowledge; North Showa; Practice