SNNPR Public Health Institute, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.
Head Office, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2023 Aug 3;18(8):e0288430. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288430. eCollection 2023.
Being well informed about the pandemic and how the virus spreads help to prevent and control the pandemic. Health authorities should monitor community practice to prevent the pandemic to identify gaps and minimize risks. This study was, therefore, designed to assess community knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 prevention and its associated factors in urban settings.
Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Ethiopia. Twelve towns with high population density and mobility and 1162 participants were included in the study using multi-stage sampling. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Mask use was assessed by observation while social distancing and handwashing were assessed by interview. Good practice was defined as wearing face mask, keeping social distance and handwashing. Data was collected by health professionals who have BSc and above (in nursing and public health) and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression at 95% confidence level were performed.
From 1162 respondents, about three fifths, 714 (61.4%), were females and 829 (64.2%) were married. The mean knowledge score was 69.7 (SD±17.87) while mean score for attitude was 80.6 (SD±6.29). Only about one third, 380 (32.7%), had good practice. Occupation, age and overall knowledge about COVID-19 and its prevention were associated with good COVID-19 prevention measures.
Knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 prevention and control were moderate while practice was low. The risk communication strategy should be strengthened using precautionary advocacy.
了解大流行情况以及病毒传播方式有助于预防和控制大流行。卫生当局应监测社区实践以预防大流行，以发现差距并最大程度地降低风险。因此，本研究旨在评估城市环境中与 COVID-19 预防相关的社区知识、态度和实践（KAP）及其相关因素。
在埃塞俄比亚南部进行了一项基于社区的横断面研究。使用多阶段抽样，共纳入了 12 个人口密度和流动性高的城镇和 1162 名参与者。使用半结构式问卷收集数据。通过观察评估口罩使用情况，通过访谈评估社交距离和洗手情况。良好的做法定义为佩戴口罩、保持社交距离和洗手。数据由具有 BSc 及以上学历（护理和公共卫生）的卫生专业人员收集，并使用 SPSS 版本 25 进行分析。采用描述性统计和 95%置信水平的二元逻辑回归进行分析。
在 1162 名受访者中，约五分之三，714 名（61.4%）为女性，829 名（64.2%）已婚。知识得分的平均值为 69.7（SD±17.87），而态度得分的平均值为 80.6（SD±6.29）。只有约三分之一，380 名（32.7%）采取了良好的预防措施。职业、年龄以及对 COVID-19 及其预防的总体了解与良好的 COVID-19 预防措施相关。
与 COVID-19 预防和控制相关的知识和态度处于中等水平，而实践水平较低。应加强风险沟通策略，采用预防倡导。
