scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards the 2019 Coronavirus Pandemic: A bi-national survey in Africa

Author(s):  
Elnadi Hager ◽  
Ismail A. Odetokun ◽  
Obasanjo Bolarinwa ◽  
Ahmed Zainab ◽  
Ochulor Okechukwu ◽  
...  

AbstractThe current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed and impacted lives on a global scale since its emergence and spread from China in late 2019. It has caused millions of infections, and thousands of deaths worldwide. However, the control of this pandemic still remains unachievable in many African countries including Egypt and Nigeria, despite the application of some strict preventive and control measures. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Egyptians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 pandemic.A total of 1437 respondents were included in this preliminary cross-sectional survey. The mean knowledge score was 14.7±2.3. The majority of the respondents (61.6%) had a satisfactory knowledge of the disease. Age (18-39 years), education (College/bachelors) and background of respondents were factors influencing knowledge levels. The attitude of most respondents (68.9%) towards the preventive measures was satisfactory with an average attitude score of 6.9 ± 1.2. The majority of the respondents (96%) practiced self-isolation and social-distancing but only 36% follow all health recommendations. The perception of most respondents (62.1%) on the global efforts at controlling the virus and preventing further spread was satisfactory with an average score of 10.9 ± 2.7. A satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 was significantly associated with good attitude and perceptions (p < 0.001) of respondents. Only 22% of the respondents were satisfied with their country’s handling of the pandemic.It is imperative that to avoid Africa being the next epicenter of the pandemic. Governments need to strengthen health systems, improve their surveillance activities in detecting cases, and effectively apply standard infection prevention and control measures.

Author(s):  
Muhammad Salman ◽  
Zia Ul Mustafa ◽  
Noman Asif ◽  
Naureen Shehzadi ◽  
Tahir Mehmood Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: COVIID-19 outbreak has been accompanied by a massive infodemic. However, many vulnerable individuals such as illiterate or low-literate, older adults, and rural populations have limited access to health information. In this context, these individuals are more likely to have poor knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices related to COVID-19. The current study was aimed to investigate COVID-19’s awareness of the illiterate population of Pakistanis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among illiterate Pakistanis having age ≥ 18 years through a convenient sampling approach. The study participants were interviewed, face to face, by respecting the defined precautionary measures. All data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of the study participants’ (N = 394) was 37.2±9.60 years, with the majority of males (80.7%). All participants were aware of the COVID-19 outbreak and television news channels (75.1%) were the primary source of information. The mean knowledge score was 5.33±1.88. About 27% of participants had good knowledge score (score ≥ 7) followed by moderate (score 4-6) and poor (score ≤ 3) knowledge in 41.6%, and 31.5% respondents, respectively. The attitude score was 4.42±1.22 with good (score ≥ 6), average (score 4-5), and poor attitude (score ≤ 3) in 19%, 66%, and 15% participants, respectively. The average practices-related score was 12.80±3.34, with the majority of participants having inadequate practices. Conclusion: COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of the illiterate population in Pakistan are unsatisfactory. This study highlights the gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice that should be addressed through awareness campaigns targeting this specific population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Aldhahri ◽  
Rana Alghamdi

Background: Infection prevention and control measures are critical for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.Aim: In this study, we aimed to measure and evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge of the prevention, symptoms, and transmission control of COVID-19 before and after quarantine among the residents of Rabigh city and adjacent villages in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in two stages: the first stage took place before quarantine and the second stage took place after quarantine. The survey was filled out electronically.Results: A total of 448 participants responded and filled out the questionnaires. Females (73.70%) formed the largest number of participants for both stages. The majority of the participants were &lt;30 years old (50.90%) and had a high education level in various sectors and levels (97.1%). It was noticeable that during the first stage, the participants' awareness of COVID-19 symptoms was not very high: 13.62% did not know about the symptoms. However, by the second stage, awareness about symptoms had increased (9.6%).Conclusion: The residents of Rabigh city and the surrounding villages had good levels of knowledge about COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 179-186
Author(s):  
Eman Moawad Elhabashi ◽  
Reham Farouk Tawfik ◽  
Fatma Maamoun Abou-Hashima ◽  
Arwa Mohamed El Shafei ◽  
Fayrouz El-Aguizy

BACKGROUND: Since first confirmed case of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 in December 2019 by Chinese health authorities and subsequent World Health Organization (WHO) declaration that COVID-19 is a global public health crisis, radical changes have occurred all over the world associating massive lockdown with increased numbers of infected cases and related mortalities. As health care workers (HCWs) are at a great risk to get COVID-19 infection and hence can be a dangerous source of spreading it to the community, it was important to assess HCWs knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) to help limit the outcomes of COVID-19. AIM: The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physicians regarding COVID-19 IPC. METHODS: Research setting is “Kasr Al-Ainy” Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Hospital. Design: A cross-sectional analytical observational hospital-based research in June 2020. Population: A convenient sample of 50 physicians working at Cairo University Hospital was included. Data collection: Self-administered questionnaires derived from the WHO IPC guide during health care when COVID-19 is suspected were used. RESULTS: Mean age of studied group was 30.5 ± 3.97, while their mean years of practice were 4.7 ± 3.55. Mean knowledge score among physicians was 5.6 (± 0.56), two-thirds of them had sufficient knowledge regarding COVID-19 IPC as their mean attitude score among 24.9 (± 2.8). While mean practice scores 5.6 (± 1.05), yet only 68% of the participating physicians use a new set of personal protective equipment when care is given to a different patient. CONCLUSION: Physician’s moderate knowledge, poor attitude, and modest practice toward COVID-19 IPC were found to be not sufficient, not favorable nor safe enough to expected standards.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashi Masnad Alreshidi ◽  
Hassan Haridi ◽  
Rana Alaseeri ◽  
Michelle Garcia ◽  
Fe Gaspar ◽  
...  

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic extended to reach most countries in the globe during few months. Preparedness of healthcare institutions and healthcare workers (HCWs) are crucial for applying effective prevention and control measures. This study aimed to assess HCWs knowledge, emotions and perception of preparedness of their institutions towards COVID-19 pandemic.Design: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among hospital HCWs in Saudi Arabia during April 27, 2020 to May 03, 2020.Results: Overall, 1004 completed responses were received. The majority were females (78.8), nurses (84.9%) at middle age 25-39 years (71.8%). Among participants, 95.5% reported receiving training on safely use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 94.9% did fit the test for N95 respirator. The participants possessed a fair knowledge about COVID-19 disease with a mean knowledge score 6. 61±1.35 points on a scale of 10 points. Most participants (88.7%) were committed to continue work as a professional and ethical duty, however, 27.1% of them scored high on a negative emotional impact scale. Participants appreciated most aspects of institutional preparedness for COVID-19 pandemic; however, they were concerned with the continuous PPE supply. Factors that independently associated with good knowledge and negative emotional response were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Conclusions: Findings revealed fair knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs in Saudi hospitals. Concerns and worries were expressed regard working with the highly infectious COVID-19 patients. Participants, appreciated most aspects of institutional preparedness, however they were concerned about the continuous availability and supply of PPE.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Rai ◽  
Nishant Nishant ◽  
D Singh ◽  
Nitin Kulkarni ◽  
Shailesh Chaurasia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: People's adherence to control measures is imperative in the fight against COVID-19. The present study was done to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among residents of Jharkhand and to assist government in deciding further course of action during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This study was an online cross sectional survey. The link to the questionnaire was displayed on the official website of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Government of Jharkhand, National Health Mission, Jharkhand, official website of all districts under Jharkhand state administration, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and Information & Public Relations department. Participation of residents in the survey was also extensively propagated using mass media mainly local television networks, radio channel and newspapers. Results: A total of 4683 responses were received from all districts of Jharkhand. Majority of the participants were young adults (47.5%) and number of male participants was more than the females (81.4%). Mean correct knowledge score for participants of this study was 10.73+2.2 (maximum attainable score was 14) while mean practice score for the participants was 4.5+0.69 (maximum attainable score was 5). Knowledge score of the participants was significantly associated with their age, education status and economic class (p<0.05). The participants largely held an optimistic attitude and healthy practices towards COVID-19. Conclusions: Participants had positive attitude but were also logically worried and uncertain about near future. Adequate knowledge of participants was visible in the practices of residents. There was however a gap across age groups, gender, literacy and income levels which should be addressed in future campaigns.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (40) ◽  
pp. 35-59
Author(s):  
Chidiebere O. Anyaoha ◽  
Lynda O. Majesty-Alukagberie ◽  
Iniobong C I. Ugochukwu ◽  
John A. Nwanta ◽  
Boniface M. Anene ◽  
...  

Seroprevalence of the antibodies of Brucella canis and Brucella abortus in dogs was assessed using a cross-sectional survey in Anambra and Enugu States, Nigeria. A total of 123 Companion dogs made up of 65 clinic dogs, 34 slaughter dogs and 24 household dogs were screened. For B. abortus antibody assay, the collected serum was used for Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Serum agglutination test (SAT) and Solid Phase Immunoassay technique with Immunocomb® Canine Brucellosis Antibody Test Kit was used. Out of the 123 dogs screened, none was positive for Brucella abortus antibodies while 34 (27.7%) of the dogs screened were positive for B. canis antibodies. There was a significant association (P0.05) between infection and sex, the infection was significantly higher (P0.05) in female than male dogs. Prevalence was significantly higher (P0.05) in Exotic breeds than in mixed and local dog breeds. There was no association (P0.05) between infection and antibody titre levels in the different categories of dogs. However, there was significant association (P0.05) between the presence of Brucella canis antibodies and free roaming of dogs. This study provides the first serological evidence of B. canis infection in dogs in Enugu and Anambra States. This shows that B. canis is endemic in both states, underscoring the need for further studies. Female dogs, exotic breeds and freely roaming dogs are at a higher risk of Brucella infection in the study area; therefore, preventive and control measures are strongly recommended


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Alnemer ◽  
Raed Aljohani ◽  
Abdulrahman Alajlan ◽  
Mohammad Aljohani ◽  
Ibrahim Alozaib ◽  
...  

The use of topical olive oil (OO) for skin health is common among Saudis and worldwide. Therefore, this cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the use of topical OO for skin health among Saudis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was administered to Saudis at four different malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 401 participants were enrolled in the study. The results showed that the average knowledge score of the participants was 3.4±0.3 (out of 5) and 87% had fair knowledge. The top source of knowledge among the participants was friends/relatives. In the attitude section, the average score was 4.1±0.5 (out of 5). Females had a higher attitude score 4.2±0.5 as compared to males 4±0.5 (P=0.03). The most common reason for using topical OO among the participants was skin moisturizing (73%). Female gender was the only significant factor associated with the use of topical OO (P < 0.001). The use of topical OO for skin health is highly prevalent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, more awareness of the benefits and adverse effects of topical OO use is required especially from health educational organizations. The preliminary results of this study suggest further research with a larger sample in an academic setting across the nation.


Author(s):  
Pratibha Srivastava

Today's Children will be tomorrow's responsible citizen of the country. Entertainment is an essential part of life, by this we feel tension free, relaxed, energetic and having a positive attitude towards life. Games plays an important role for the all round development of the children's personality especially outdoor games but Now a days children are adopting habits of playing indoor games and also entertaining themselves by using various electronic devices as we know one of them is television. There are various programmes such as various kids’ channels, cartoon shows, video games etc. being watched by the children. Directly or indirectly these programs affect behaviour of the children in positive and negative ways. That’s why it is needed that parents should have a look for types of programmes seen by children, how long a child is watching a program, how it is affecting child habits/ behaviour etc. Later on, these negative impacts will create health issues/behaviour problems such as obesity, aggressive behaviour, lack of concentration etc. Child who watch television for 10 hours or more per week are less skilled at reading and are less successful in school as compared to children who watch television for less than 10 hours per week. The American academy of paediatrics makes the following recommendations regarding television viewing should not exceed one to two hours of quality programming daily and children younger than two years old should not watch television.1 That is why researchers took this topic to highlight the attitude and knowledge of parents about the impact of television on their Children's behaviour. A co-relational study conducted to assess parental knowledge and attitude regarding the impact of television on children in selected area at Kanpur (U.P). A descriptive cross-sectional survey approach was used, sample size was 100 parents selected by convenient sampling for this study. Self-structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of parents, and attitude of parents was assessed by Likert scale. The study shows that among 100 parents 8% of them had poor knowledge, 36% average knowledge, 50% good knowledge, 6% very good knowledge about impact of television on children. The study shown the positive attitude 84%, negative attitude 16% on impact of television on children. The correlation value shows that positive correlation between knowledge and attitude score of parents. There was no significant association between knowledge score with their demographic variables and significant association seen between attitude score with types of family, educational status of parents, income of parents and number of children. There was no significant association between attitude score with age of parents and religion. KEYWORDS: Impact, Television, Attitude, Parental Knowledge,


Author(s):  
Sima Rugarabamu ◽  
Mariam Ibrahim ◽  
Aisha Byanaku

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is a global health and societal emergency that requires the adoption of Unprecedented measures to control the rapid spread of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. Residents’ adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards the disease, therefore. This study was carried out to investigate KAP towards COVID-19 KAP among residents in Tanzania during the April –May 2020 period of the epidemic.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that involved a sample of online Tanzanian residents who was recruited randomly by sending an invitation asking to answer my survey”. Survey Monkey tool was used to develop a link and KAP questionnaire for data collection. Participants self-selected themselves when they choose to answer the questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics of participants, Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID. simple descriptive to complex analyses of multivariate was carried out using SPSS 17.ResultsFour hundred residents completed a survey. The mean age of study participants was 32 years, and majorities were females 216 (54.0%). There were no significant differences in demographic variables (p>0.3). Those who held a bachelor’s degree or above (60.3%) had a more correct score. Overall, (84.4%) of participants had good knowledge which was significantly associated with education level (p=0.001). Nearly all of the participants (96.0%) had confidence that COVID-19 will be eliminated. The majority of the respondents (77%) did not go to a crowded place in recent days. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that male gender, age-group of 16-29 years, and education of secondary or lower were significantly associated with lower knowledge score.ConclusionOur findings revealed good knowledge, optimistic attitudes, and appropriate practices towards COVID-19. Suggesting that a community-based health education program about COVID-19 is helpful and necessary to control the disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Rai ◽  
Nishant Nishant ◽  
DK Singh ◽  
Nitin Madan Kulkarni ◽  
Shailesh Kumar Chaurasia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People's adherence to control measures is imperative in the fight against COVID-19. The present study was done to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among residents of Jharkhand and to assist government in deciding further course of action during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods This study was an online cross sectional survey. The link to the questionnaire was displayed on the official website of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Government of Jharkhand, National Health Mission, Jharkhand, official website of all districts under Jharkhand state administration, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and Information & Public Relations department. Participation of residents in the survey was also extensively propagated using mass media mainly local television networks, radio channel and newspapers. Results A total of 4683 responses were received from all districts of Jharkhand. Majority of the participants were young adults (47.5%) and number of male participants was more than the females (81.4%). Mean correct knowledge score for participants of this study was 10.73 + 2.2 (maximum attainable score was 14) while mean practice score for the participants was 4.5 + 0.69 (maximum attainable score was 5). Knowledge score of the participants was significantly associated with their age, education status and economic class (p < 0.05). The participants largely held an optimistic attitude and healthy practices towards COVID-19. Conclusions Participants had positive attitude but were also logically worried and uncertain about near future. Adequate knowledge of participants was visible in the practices of residents. There was however a gap across age groups, gender, literacy and income levels which should be addressed in future campaigns.


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