School of Communication Studies, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
J Community Health. 2020 Dec;45(6):1158-1167. doi: 10.1007/s10900-020-00916-7.
Preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent for COVID-19) requires implementing contact and respiratory precautions. Modifying human behavior is challenging and requires understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding health threats. This study explored KAPs among people in Ecuador. A cross-sectional, internet-based questionnaire was used to assess knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes toward ability to control COVID-19, self-reported practices related to COVID-19, and demographics. A total of 2399 individuals participated. Participants had moderate to high levels of knowledge. Participants expressed mixed attitudes about the eventual control of COVID-19 in Ecuador. Participants reported high levels of adoption of preventive practices. Binomial regression analysis suggests unemployed individuals, househusbands/housewives, or manual laborers, as well as those with an elementary school education, have lower levels of knowledge. Women, people over 50 years of age, and those with higher levels of schooling were the most optimistic. Men, individuals 18-29, single, and unemployed people took the riskiest behaviors. Generally, knowledge was not associated with optimism or with practices. Our findings indicate knowledge about COVID-19 is insufficient to prompt behavioral change among Ecuadorians. Since current COVID-19 control campaigns seek to educate the public, these efforts' impacts are likely to be limited. Given attitudes determine people's actions, further investigation into the factors underlying the lack of confidence in the ability of the world, and of Ecuador, to overcome COVID-19, is warranted. Edu-communicational campaigns should be accompanied by efforts to provide economically disadvantaged populations resources to facilitate adherence to recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus.
预防严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒 2 型(COVID-19 的病原体)的传播需要采取接触和呼吸道预防措施。改变人类行为具有挑战性,需要了解有关健康威胁的知识、态度和实践(KAP)。本研究探讨了厄瓜多尔人在这方面的 KAP。采用横断面、基于互联网的问卷评估了他们对 COVID-19 的认识、对控制 COVID-19 能力的态度、与 COVID-19 相关的自我报告实践以及人口统计学特征。共有 2399 人参与。参与者对 COVID-19 的认识处于中等偏高的水平。参与者对 COVID-19 在厄瓜多尔最终得到控制的态度不一。参与者报告了高水平的预防措施。二项回归分析表明,失业人员、家庭主妇或体力劳动者以及接受过小学教育的人,知识水平较低。女性、50 岁以上的人和受教育程度较高的人最乐观。男性、18-29 岁的人、单身和失业者的行为风险最高。一般来说,知识与乐观或实践无关。我们的研究结果表明,厄瓜多尔人对 COVID-19 的认识不足以促使他们改变行为。由于当前的 COVID-19 控制运动旨在教育公众,这些努力的影响可能有限。鉴于态度决定人们的行为,有必要进一步调查导致人们对全球和厄瓜多尔克服 COVID-19 的能力缺乏信心的原因。教育传播运动应辅以努力,为经济弱势群体提供资源,以促进遵守预防病毒传播的建议。