Risk Perceptions, Attitude and Preventive Practices toward COVID-19 During the First Wave, Egypt

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONDuring the first phase of COVID-19 pandemic, Italian medical students transitioned from in-person to remote learning. This study was carried out to early assess students’ sources of information, perceived risk of infection, knowledge and preventive practices in order to resume academic activity. The impact of training and volunteer work was also assessed.METHODSA cross-sectional online survey was conducted in May 2020 among medical students enrolled in the School of Medicine and Surgery, Bologna University.RESULTSThe analysis included 537 responses. On average students used seven sources of information on COVID-19. Scientific journals were considered the most trustworthy but they ranked only 6th in the frequency of use. Perceived risk of infection was higher for academic activities, especially in the hospital than daily living activities. Less than 50% of students reported being trained on biological risk and use of PPE. Training received was significantly associated with both perceived risk of infection and confidence in the use of PPE. Students engaged in volunteer work had higher confidence in PPE usage.DISCUSSIONAccessible scientific information and students’ engagement in spreading correct knowledge play an important role in challenging misinformation during the pandemic crisis. Students showed suboptimal knowledge about PPE use, calling for additional training. We found a moderate-high perceived risk of infection that could be mitigated with specific educational programs and by promoting voluntary work. Students’ engagement in public health emergencies (PHE) could potentially be beneficial for their training and as well as for the healthcare system.

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Risk Perceptions, Attitude and Preventive Practices of Egyptians towards COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-89882/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nadira Mansour Hassan ◽

Safynaz El Saied Shalaby ◽

Asmaa Ali EL-Feky ◽

Eman Ali Younis ◽

Asmaa Omar Attalla

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

Good Practice ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Moderate Degree ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Global Pandemic

Abstract Background: COVID-19 is the latest global pandemic. To date, no antiviral treatment or vaccine has been explicitly recommended for it. Therefore, applying preventive measures to control its spread is the most critical intervention. Perceived risk and attitude determines population’s reaction.Objectives: study perceptions, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 among EgyptiansMethods: The study was cross-sectional using a snowball nonrandom sample from public population of Egyptian Community. They were asked to fulfill predesigned online questionnaire that was available from 16th to 24th March 2020.Results: The study included 1663 participants from all governorates of Egypt. More than half were at age group 21-30 years, 64.3% females and 85.1% students. Main source of information was social media (46.4%). Most of Participants had positive attitude and moderate degree of fear. Only 25.4% of students satisfied with distance learning, 41.4% of participants believe that they are susceptible to infection and 61% believe in seriousness of the disease. About half of participants reported that they follow preventive precautions. Majority of participants (81.3%) believe in effectiveness of these precautions. Participant’s practices were relatively satisfactory except for wearing protective masks, movement of families outside home, reducing touch of nose and eyes, and getting enough sleeping hours. Binary logistic regression identified that significant predictors of good practice were female sex, belief in susceptibility, seriousness, and effectiveness of precautions.On conclusion: Obligatory wearing of masks was an important governmental necessary step and to improve population reaction to control COVID-19, we need to promote realistic risk perceptions and effective attitudes.

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Risk perceptions and preventive practices of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0242471

Author(s):

Wakgari Deressa ◽

Alemayehu Worku ◽

Workeabeba Abebe ◽

Muluken Gizaw ◽

Wondwossen Amogne

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Preventive Practices

Healthcare professionals are at higher risk of contracting the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although appropriate preventive measures are the most important interventions to prevent coronavirus infection among healthcare workers, they are also highly concerned about the consequences of the pandemic. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess preventive practices, perceived risk and worry about COVID-19 crisis among healthcare professionals at six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 1,134 respondents (52.6% females). Data were collected between 9th and 20th June 2020 using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with worry about COVID-19 crisis. The highest percentage of respondents were nurses (39.3%) and physicians (22.2%), followed by interns (10.8%) and midwives (10.3%). Wearing facemask (93%) and frequent hand washing (93%) were the commonly reported preventive practices. Perceived risk of becoming infected with coronavirus (88%) and the potential risk of infection to their family (91%) were very high. The mean (median) worry score about COVID-19 crisis was 2.37 (3.0), on 1 to 3 scale, with 1 (not worried) and 3 (highly worried). The majority worried a lot about the health system being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients (92%), the health of their loved ones (90%) and losing someone due to COVID-19 (89%). Respondents who had previously provided clinical care to Ebola, SARS and cholera patients had significantly lower levels of worry about COVID-19 crisis than participants who had not (β = -1.38, P<0.001). Our findings reveal respondents’ widespread practice of preventive measures, highest levels of perceived risk and worry about the COVID-19 crisis. Increased perceived risk and worry about COVID-19 might enable healthcare workers to adopt appropriate preventive measures more effectively against the disease.

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Risk Perceptions, Attitude and Preventive Practices toward COVID-19 during the First Wave, Egypt

International Egyptian Journal of Nursing Sciences and Research ◽

10.21608/ejnsr.2021.90130.1072 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 0-0

Author(s):

Nadira Hassan ◽

Safynaz Shalaby ◽

Asmaa EL-Feky ◽

Eman Younis ◽

Asmaa Atalla

Keyword(s):

Risk Perceptions ◽

Preventive Practices

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Risk perceptions and preventive practices of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in public hospitals in Ethiopia

10.1101/2020.11.04.367896 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wakgari Deressa ◽

Alemayehu Worku ◽

Workeabeba Abebe ◽

Muluken Gizaw ◽

Wondwosson Amogne

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Health Workers ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Preventive Practices

AbstractHealthcare professionals are at higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus due to their work exposure in the healthcare settings. Practicing appropriate preventive measures to control COVID-19 infection is one of the most important interventions that healthcare workers are expected to use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of risk perception and practices of preventive measures of COVID-19 among health workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 9th to 26th June 2020 among healthcare professionals working at six public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, and mean were used to summarize the data. A binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with risk perception about COVID-19. A total of 1,134 participants were surveyed. Wearing facemask (93%), hand washing for at least 20 seconds (93%), covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing (91%), and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth (91%) were the commonly self-reported preventive practices. About 88% perceived that they were worried about the risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, and majority (91%) worried about the risk of infection to their family. The mean score of overall fear and worry of COVID-19 was 2.37 on a scale of 1 to 3. Respondents who ever provided clinical care to COVID-19 patients were more likely to report fear and worry (adjusted OR=1.34, 95% CI:1.02-1.91), however those who ever participated in Ebola or SARS outbreaks were less likely to report fear and worry due to COVID-19 crisis (adjusted OR=0.66, 95% CI:0.48-0.90). This study has revealed widespread practices of preventive measures and the highest perceived risk of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. Therefore, an effective risk communication intervention should be implemented to ensure the maintenance of appropriate practices during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Risk perceptions and preventive practices of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in public hospitals in Ethiopia

10.1101/2020.10.30.20223180 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wakgari Deressa ◽

Alemayehu Worku ◽

Workeabeba Abebe ◽

Muluken Gizaw ◽

Wondwosson Amogne

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Health Workers ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Preventive Practices

AbstractHealthcare professionals are at higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus due to their work exposure in the healthcare settings. Practicing appropriate preventive measures to control COVID-19 infection is one of the most important interventions that healthcare workers are expected to use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of risk perception and practices of preventive measures of COVID-19 among health workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 9th to 26th June 2020 among healthcare professionals working at six public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, and mean were used to summarize the data. A binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with risk perception about COVID-19. A total of 1,134 participants were surveyed. Wearing facemask (93%), hand washing for at least 20 seconds (93%), covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing (91%), and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth (91%) were the commonly self-reported preventive practices. About 88% perceived that they were worried about the risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, and majority (91%) worried about the risk of infection to their family. The mean score of overall fear and worry of COVID-19 was 2.37 on a scale of 1 to 3. Respondents who ever provided clinical care to COVID-19 patients were more likely to report fear and worry (adjusted OR=1.34, 95% CI:1.02-1.91), however those who ever participated in Ebola or SARS outbreaks were less likely to report fear and worry due to COVID-19 crisis (adjusted OR=0.66, 95% CI:0.48-0.90). This study has revealed widespread practices of preventive measures and the highest perceived risk of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. Therefore, an effective risk communication intervention should be implemented to ensure the maintenance of appropriate practices during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Knowledge and Response of Rural Women in Nigeria to COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-154767/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Friday Okonofua ◽

Lorretta Favour Ntoimo ◽

Sanni Yaya ◽

Brian Igboin ◽

Chioma Ekwo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Rural Women ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Preventive Behavior ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Survey Tool ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

High Knowledge ◽

Edo State

Abstract BackgroundNigeria has experienced COVID-19 pandemic as in nearly 200 countries around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, risk perceptions, and preventive practices among rural women in Edo State, Nigeria to identify the social circumstances under which women respond to COVID-19 in the community. MethodThe study design was cross-sectional and consisted of face-to-face interviews with 1,411 women in 20 rural communities in Edo state, south-south Nigeria using a structured questionnaire. Questions consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, the knowledge of COVID-19, its symptoms and prevention method, and the women’s compliance with the prevention guidelines recommended by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control. Some of the questions and formats were adapted from the survey tool and guidance for monitoring knowledge, risk perceptions and preventive behavior by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The data were analyzed with univariate, bivariate and multivariable statistical techniques.ResultsThe results showed relatively high knowledge of COVID-19 but low perceptions of risk, and inadequate self-reported compliance with the recommendations for prevention, use of face mask, and handwashing. The most prominent determinants of lack of knowledge of COVID-19, the symptoms, and preventive measures; perception of COVID-19 as no health threat; and poor preventive behavior include less exposure to the media, being in a polygynous and consensual marriage, illiterate, age, and not having a mobile phone.ConclusionsWe conclude that although rural women in Nigeria have relatively high knowledge, low-risk perception and adoption of preventive measures for COVID-19 are grossly inadequate. These deficits are attributable to illiteracy, poor access to information, and the pervading poverty in rural communities. Appropriate policies and programs that address these challenges will prevent COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in rural Nigeria.

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