Knowledge, perceptions and preventive practices towards COVID-19 early in the outbreak among Jimma university medical center visitors, Southwest Ethiopia
Knowledge, perceptions and preventive practices towards COVID-19 early in the outbreak among Jimma university medical center visitors, Southwest Ethiopia
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DOI：
10.1371/journal.pone.0233744
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发表时间：
2020-05-21
期刊：
影响因子：
3.7
通讯作者：
Ambelu, Argaw
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kebede, Yohannes;Yitayih, Yimenu;Ambelu, Argaw
背景新冠状病毒病-2019年(新冠肺炎)是目前世界卫生组织(WHO)宣布的一种全球关注的大流行和突发公共卫生事件。目的了解吉马镇吉马大学医疗中心(JUMC)来访者的知识、认知和行为。方法于2020年3月20-24日对247名来访者进行横断面调查。采用连续抽样的方法招募受试者。研究工具改编自世卫组织的资源。使用社会科学统计软件包(SPSS)20.0版对数据进行分析。描述性统计被用来描述知识、感知和实践的状况。结果在247名调查对象中，205人(83.0%)知道新冠肺炎的主要临床症状。72.0%的人知道患有慢性病的老年人患严重新冠肺炎的风险很高。约95.1%的人知道新冠肺炎病毒通过感染者的呼吸道飞沫传播，而77人(31.2%)知道可能的无症状传播。只有15人(6.1%)知道儿童和年轻人必须采取预防措施。总体而言，41.3%的访问者具有较高的知识水平。170%(68.8%)的人对控制新冠肺炎感到自我效能。207人(83.3%)认为新冠肺炎是一种耻辱的疾病。经常洗手(77.3%)和避免握手(53.8%)是主要的习惯。知识状况和自我效能感(积极)、高龄和失业(消极)预测洗手和避免握手。结论知识状况和可取行为不足以对抗这种快速传播的病毒。新冠肺炎风险沟通和公众教育工作应侧重于建立适当的知识水平，同时加强采用建议的自我保健做法，特别强调高危受众群体。
BackgroundNovel-coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic and public health emergency of international concern, as avowed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Ethiopia has become one of the affected countries as of March 15, 2020.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and practices among the Jimma University medical center (JUMC) visitors in Jimma town.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 247 sampled visitors, from 20-24 March 2020. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit the participants. The study tools were adapted from WHO resources. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the status of knowledge, perception, and practices. Logistic regression was executed to assess the predictors of dominant preventive practices.ResultsOf the 247 respondents, 205 (83.0%) knew the main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. 72.0% knew that older people who have chronic illnesses are at high risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19. About 95.1% knew that the COVID-19 virus spreads via respiratory droplets of infected people, while 77 (31.2%) of the respondents knew about the possibility of asymptomatic transmission. Only 15 (6.1%) knew that children and young adults had to involve preventive measures. Overall, 41.3% of the visitors had high knowledge. The majority, 170(68.8%), felt self-efficacious to controlling COVID-19. 207(83.3%) believed that COVID-19 is a stigmatized disease. Frequent hand washing (77.3%) and avoidance of shaking hands (53.8%) were the dominant practices. Knowledge status and self-efficacy (positively), older age, and unemployment (negatively) predicted hand washing and avoidance of handshaking.ConclusionsThe status of knowledge and desirable practices were not sufficient enough to combat this rapidly spreading virus. COVID-19 risk communication and public education efforts should focus on building an appropriate level of knowledge while enhancing the adoption of recommended self-care practices with special emphasis on high-risk audience segments.