Toleha Husien Nurahmed, Bayked Ewunetie Mekashaw, Workneh Birhanu Demeke, Fenta Teferi Gedif
Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Front Public Health. 2025 May 9;13:1505621. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1505621. eCollection 2025.
COVID-19 is a global concern due to its high transmission and mortality rates. Despite governments' efforts worldwide to control its spread, many people were hesitant to adopt preventive measures. The effectiveness of these measures largely depends on public willingness, which is influenced by their knowledge and perception of risk. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the knowledge, risk perceptions, protection practices, and related factors concerning COVID-19 in the Dessie City Administration, Northeast Ethiopia.
This study employed a cross-sectional design. We selected seven hundred ninety participants using a systematic sampling technique. Data was collected face-to-face using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to summarise the sample characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 23), and the results were presented in the form of text, tables, and graphs.
Of the study participants, 498 (63%) had good knowledge of the pandemic, while 457 (58%) had a low-risk perception. Only 305 (39%) demonstrated good protection practices. The most trusted sources of information were healthcare personnel (686 participants, 86.8%), followed by the Ministry of Health websites (654 participants, 82.8%). Monthly income (>10,000 ETB), knowledge, and risk perceptions with AORs of 3.05 (CI: 1.51-6.14), 4.45 (CI: 2.81-7.04), 2.06 (CI: 1.38-3.08) were significantly associated with protection practices against the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than two-thirds of the participants demonstrated good knowledge about COVID-19. However, over half perceived themselves to be at low risk and engaged in poor preventive practices. Control efforts will be challenging, especially among younger and less educated groups who consider themselves at low risk, requiring focused attention. Understanding people's risk perceptions and beliefs about the effectiveness of COVID-19 prevention measures is essential for improving protective behaviours. Health education and active community engagement are key strategies in combating the spread of the virus.
由于新冠病毒的高传播率和高死亡率，它已成为全球关注的问题。尽管世界各国政府都在努力控制其传播，但许多人对采取预防措施仍犹豫不决。这些措施的有效性很大程度上取决于公众的意愿，而公众意愿又受其对风险的认知和了解的影响。因此，本研究旨在调查埃塞俄比亚东北部德西市行政区居民对新冠病毒的认知、风险感知、防护措施及相关因素。
本研究采用横断面设计。我们使用系统抽样技术选取了790名参与者。通过面对面访谈的方式，由调查员根据问卷收集数据。描述性统计，包括频数、百分比、均值和标准差，用于总结样本特征。使用SPSS（版本23）进行多变量逻辑回归分析，结果以文本、表格和图表的形式呈现。
在研究参与者中，498人（63%）对疫情有良好的认知，而457人（58%）的风险感知较低。只有305人（39%）表现出良好的防护措施。最受信任的信息来源是医护人员（686名参与者，86.8%），其次是卫生部网站（654名参与者，82.8%）。月收入（>10,000埃塞俄比亚比尔）、认知和风险感知与预防新冠疫情防护措施的调整后比值比分别为3.05（置信区间：1.51 - 6.14）、4.45（置信区间：2.81 - 7.04）、2.06（置信区间：1.38 - 3.08），与防护措施显著相关。
超过三分之二的参与者对新冠病毒有良好的认知。然而，超过一半的人认为自己风险较低且预防措施不力。防控工作将面临挑战，特别是在那些认为自己风险较低的年轻和受教育程度较低的群体中，需要重点关注。了解人们对新冠病毒预防措施有效性的风险感知和信念对于改善防护行为至关重要。健康教育和积极的社区参与是抗击病毒传播的关键策略。
