Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Mozambique: Two Consecutive Online Surveys

We assessed adherence to government recommendations implemented shortly after the introduction of COVID-19 in Mozambique in March 2020, through two online cross-sectional surveys in April and June 2020. We quantified adherence to preventive measures by a composite score comprising of five measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, cough hygiene, and avoidance of touching the face. 3770 and 1115 persons participated in the first and second round respectively. Wearing face masks, regular handwashing and cough hygiene all reached compliance rates of over 90% while physical distancing and avoiding to touch the face reached a compliance rate of 80–90%. A multivariable model investigating factors associated with adherence found that being older, more educated, and belonging to the healthcare sector increased the odds for higher adherence. Private workers and retired people, respondents receiving COVID-19 information through social media, and those who reported flu-like symptoms were less likely to adhere. 6% of respondents reported flu-like symptoms which aligned with the WHO clinical definition of COVID-19, suggesting low level community transmission. In conclusion, most respondents in this online survey in Mozambique complied well with strategies to prevent COVID-19. Whether the good preventive behaviour explains the low grade COVID-19 transmission requires further study.

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COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours in Cameroon: A Six-Month Online National Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2554

Author(s):

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Leonard Ngarka ◽

Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi ◽

Leonard N. Nfor ◽

Michel K. Mengnjo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Models ◽

Health Personnel ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Face Mask ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Adherence Score ◽

Preventive Behaviour ◽

Predictors Of Adherence

Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one’s face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0–5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

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Knowledge and perception as critical components in recognition of Covid-19 symptoms

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.4314/njpar.v42i1.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 9-18

Author(s):

S.O. Sam-Wobo ◽

C.N. Ukaga ◽

D. Pam ◽

I.C.J. Omalu ◽

A. Mogaji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Face Mask ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North West ◽

North East ◽

Endemic Diseases ◽

The North

The knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) people hold towards a new disease could play a major role in the way they accept measures put in place to curb its spread as Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of other endemic diseases, especially malaria. A cross-sectional KAP/symptomatology online survey was conducted from August –September 2020 across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria. Data were entered into Google sheets and analyses performed using SPSS version 20. From the 900 respondents, majority 66% were from the North west while 1.2% were from the North east. By sex and age distribution, 69% were males while females were 31%. Age group 15-25 years were more (32.22%) and the least (11%) among respondents were above 65years. Majority of respondents (57.89%), had not experienced symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the past 3 months before this study, however 96.0% of respondents have heard about COVID19 prior the time of survey. Hyperthemia (high fever) 636(70.67%) was accurately recognized by respondents as the most common symptoms. Other highly mentioned symptoms were dry or chesty cough, shortness of breath, catarrh and cough, difficulty in breathing at night, painful breathing, and weakness or tiredness, with significant differences in the responses recorded for the recognition of COVID-19 symptoms across the geopolitical zones (p=0.00). In terms of preventive measures, 771(85.67%) respondents perceive regular hand washing with soap as the major preventive measure for COVID19 infection. This was followed by the usage of face mask 659(73.22%). Also, 794(88.22%) respondents accurately recognized hyperthemia as the most common overlapping symptom between malaria and COVID-19. Other highly mentioned overlapping symptoms were weakness or tiredness 591(65.67%), loss of appetite 504 (56.00%), loss of taste and smell 388(43.11%), and catarrh and cough 313(34.78%). We conclude that awareness of COVID-19 symptoms is fairly high in the country. Awareness strategies should target those with limited access to information on the disease. Keywords: COVID-19, Knowledge, Symptoms, Preventive measures

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Somalia: Results of an Online Survey

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060543 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 543

Author(s):

Mohammed A. M. Ahmed ◽

Robert Colebunders ◽

Abdi A. Gele ◽

Abdiqani A. Farah ◽

Shariff Osman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Face Mask ◽

Healthcare Sector ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Vaccine Acceptability ◽

Adherence Score ◽

Current Survey ◽

Similar Survey

Most countries are currently gravitating towards vaccination as mainstay strategy to quell COVID-19 transmission. Between December 2020 and January 2021, we conducted a follow-up online survey in Somalia to monitor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, and COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Adherence was measured via a composite adherence score based on four measures (physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, and mouth covering when coughing/sneezing). We analyzed 4543 responses (mean age: 23.5 ± 6.4 years, 62.4% males). The mean adherence score during this survey was lower than the score during a similar survey in April 2020. A total of 76.8% of respondents were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Flu-like symptoms were more frequently reported in the current survey compared to previous surveys. Multiple logistic regression showed that participants who experienced flu-like symptoms, those in the healthcare sector, and those with higher adherence scores had higher odds for vaccine acceptability while being a female reduced the willingness to be vaccinated. In conclusion, our data suggest that the decreasing adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures may have caused increased flu-like symptoms over time. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Somalia is relatively high but could be improved by addressing factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy.

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COVID-19 in Somalia: Adherence to Preventive Measures and Evolution of the Disease Burden

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9090735 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 735 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mohammed A. M. Ahmed ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Abdi A. Gele ◽

Abdiqani A. Farah ◽

Shariff Osman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preventive Measures ◽

Postgraduate Education ◽

Female Gender ◽

Face Mask ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adherence Score ◽

The Face ◽

The Government ◽

Context Specific ◽

Official Sources

Following the COVID-19 outbreak in Somalia, strict preventive measures were implemented by the government. We assessed adherence to the government recommendations via two consecutive online cross-sectional surveys between April and July 2020. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of five preventive measures (physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, mouth covering when coughing/sneezing, and avoidance of touching the face). 4124 and 4703 responses were analyzed during the first and second survey, respectively. The mean adherence score decreased from 3.54 ± 1.5 in the first survey to 3.40 ± 1.6 during the second survey; p < 0.001. More participants experienced at least one flu-like symptom during the second survey (38.2%) compared to the first (16.2%); however, the proportion of positive COVID-19 tests in the first (26.9%) and second survey (26.5%) was similar. The ordinal logistic regression model identified the following predictors for high adherence scores: female gender (odds ratio (OR) = 1.715 (1.581–1.861), p < 0.001); being a healthcare worker/student (OR = 2.180 (2.000–2.377), p < 0.001); obtaining COVID-19 information from official sources (OR = 1.460 (1.341–1.589), p < 0.001); and having postgraduate education (OR = 1.679 (1.220–2.307), p < 0.001). Conversely, obtaining COVID-19 information from social media and residing in urban settings were associated with lower adherence. Targeted and context-specific adaptations of the COVID-19 response may be required in Somalia.

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Role of attitude in nurses’ responses to requests for assisted dying

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733020966777 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 096973302096677

Author(s):

Michael Wilson ◽

Marie Wilson ◽

Suzanne Edwards ◽

Lynette Cusack ◽

Richard Wiechula

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Rare Event ◽

Control Beliefs ◽

Assisted Dying ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Assisted Death ◽

Institutional Ethics ◽

The Face ◽

Generalised Linear Modelling ◽

And Control

Background: Legal assisted dying is a rare event, but as legalisation expands, requests for it will likely increase, and the nurse most often receives the informal, initial request. Objectives: To assess the effects of attitude in interaction with normative and control beliefs on an intention to respond to a request for legal assisted dying. Ethical considerations: The study had the lead author’s institutional ethics approval, and participants were informed that participation was both anonymous and voluntary. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional correlational study of 377 Australian registered nurses who completed an online survey. Generalised linear modelling assessed the effects of independent variables against intended responses to requests for legal assisted dying. Results: Compared to nurses who did not support legal assisted dying, nurses who did had stronger beliefs in patient rights, perceived social expectations to refer the request and stronger control in that intention. Nurses who did not support legal assisted dying had stronger beliefs in ethics of duty to the patient and often held dual intentions to discuss the request with the patient but also held an intention to deflect the request to consideration of alternatives. Discussion: This study advances the international literature by developing quantified models explaining the complexity of nurses’ experiences with requests for an assisted death. Attitude was operationalised in interaction with other beliefs and was identified as the strongest influence on intentions, but significantly moderated by ethical norms. Conclusion: The complex of determinants of those intentions to respond to requests for an assisted death suggests they are not isolated from each other. Nurses might have distinct intentions, but they can also hold multiple intentions even when they prioritise one. These findings present opportunities to prepare nurses in a way that enhances moral resilience in the face of complex moral encounters.

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The four weeks before lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a weekly serial cross-sectional survey on risk perceptions, knowledge, public trust and behaviour, 3 to 25 March 2020

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.42.2001900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (42) ◽

Author(s):

Cornelia Betsch ◽

Lars Korn ◽

Tanja Burgard ◽

Wolfgang Gaissmaier ◽

Lisa Felgendreff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

Healthcare Sector ◽

Federal State ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Trust In Institutions

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, public perceptions and behaviours have had to adapt rapidly to new risk scenarios and radical behavioural restrictions. Aim To identify major drivers of acceptance of protective behaviours during the 4-week transition from virtually no COVID-19 cases to the nationwide lockdown in Germany (3–25 March 2020). Methods A serial cross-sectional online survey was administered weekly to ca 1,000 unique individuals for four data collection rounds in March 2020 using non-probability quota samples, representative of the German adult population between 18 and 74 years in terms of age × sex and federal state (n = 3,910). Acceptance of restrictions was regressed on sociodemographic variables, time and psychological variables, e.g. trust, risk perceptions, self-efficacy. Extraction of homogenous clusters was based on knowledge and behaviour. Results Acceptance of restrictive policies increased with participants’ age and employment in the healthcare sector; cognitive and particularly affective risk perceptions were further significant predictors. Acceptance increased over time, as trust in institutions became more relevant and trust in media became less relevant. The cluster analysis further indicated that having a higher education increased the gap between knowledge and behaviour. Trust in institutions was related to conversion of knowledge into action. Conclusion Identifying relevant principles that increase acceptance will remain crucial to the development of strategies that help adjust behaviour to control the pandemic, possibly for years to come. Based on our findings, we provide operational recommendations for health authorities regarding data collection, health communication and outreach.

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Awareness on rabies among dental students

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl3.3037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽

pp. 856-860

Author(s):

Subaraman ◽

Dhanraj Ganapathy ◽

Keerthi Sasanka

Keyword(s):

Incubation Time ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Viral Disease ◽

Dental Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Survey Mode ◽

Study Population ◽

Human Infections

Rabies awareness in dental students is very important and is very important in creating effective preventive measures in public. Rabies Is a fatal viral disease that can infect all the mammals, but dogs are the main source of human infections. To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of rabies among dental students. This was a questionnaire-based observational cross sectional type of study. The study population consisted of dental students from Saveetha Dental College. A self-designed questionnaire of 10 questions was framed based on the knowledge and awareness of rabies given the dental students using an online survey mode. The survey contained a set of 10 questions eliciting awareness about rabies. The responses were collected and analysed. 83% of students were aware that the rabies is fatal once the symptoms appeared .74% of students were aware that the rabies is a viral disease.68% of students were aware that the rabies is primarily transmitted through saliva.69% of students were aware that rabies is more common in dogs. 41% of students were aware of the incubation time.73% of students were aware of the symptoms of rabies. The study concluded that the knowledge on the awareness of rabies among dental students is moderately adequate.

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The Oxygen Delivery Characteristics of the Hudson Oxy-one Face Mask

Anaesthesia and Intensive Care ◽

10.1177/0310057x8901700210 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 180-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J. Milross ◽

I. H. Young ◽

P. Donnelly

Keyword(s):

Flow Rate ◽

Oxygen Delivery ◽

Face Mask ◽

Oxygen Flow Rate ◽

Oxygen Flow ◽

Face Model ◽

Oxygen Fraction ◽

Constant Rate ◽

The Face ◽

Definition Of

The inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2) delivered by the Hudson Oxy-one face mask was measured under changing conditions of ventilation, oxygen flow rate to mask, and mask fit. A single trained subject sat in a body plethysmograph to measure ventilation and breathed at a constant rate of 15 per minute at three different tidal volumes, of approximately 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 litres, from the mouthpiece in the plethysmograph. The Oxy-one face mask was fitted to a plaster-of Paris face model on the outside of the plethysmograph in a loose and then in a tight fashion. Oxygen concentration was continuously monitored from a point in the metal tube connecting the face model to the mouthpiece. The tightly fitting mask demonstrated an orderly reduction in FIO2 as ventilation increased and oxygen flow rate to the mask decreased. The mean FIO2 at a ventilation of 4.5 l.min-1 and 8 l.min-1 oxygen flow was 78% and this fell to 27% at a ventilation of 16 l.min-1 and oxygen flow of 2 l.min-1. The loosely fitting mask demonstrated larger SD of measurements and lower mean maximum FIO2 values of 46 to 49% and these fell in an irregular fashion to similar minimum values as ventilation increased and oxygen flow decreased. Although the precise definition of the FIO2 for each breath from the changing concentration during each inspiration was not possible, these results indicate that FIO2 changes in a predictable way as a function of ventilation and oxygen flow, if the mask is close fitting. This method could be conveniently used to study other oxygen delivery systems.

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Workplace bullying: an examination of power and perpetrators

Personnel Review ◽

10.1108/pr-02-2018-0057 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 324-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Helen De Cieri ◽

Cathy Sheehan ◽

Ross Donohue ◽

Tracey Shea ◽

Brian Cooper

Keyword(s):

Workplace Bullying ◽

Online Survey ◽

Response Rate ◽

Health Workers ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Healthcare Sector ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply the concept of power imbalance to explain workplace and demographic characteristics associated with bullying by different perpetrators in the healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach All 69,927 members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victoria) were invited to participate in an online survey in 2014; 4,891 responses were received (7 per cent response rate). Participants were asked about their exposure to workplace bullying (WPB) by different perpetrators. The questionnaire addressed demographic characteristics and perceptions of workplace characteristics (workplace type, leading indicators of occupational health and safety (OHS), prioritisation of OHS, supervisor support for safety and bureaucracy). Analysis involved descriptive statistics and regression analyses. Findings The study found that the exposure of nurses and health workers to bullying is relatively high (with 42 per cent of respondents experiencing WPB in the past 12 months) and there are multiple perpetrators of bullying. The research revealed several demographic predictors associated with the different types of perpetrators. Downward and horizontal bullying were the most prevalent forms. Workplace characteristics were more important predictors of bullying by different perpetrators than were demographic characteristics. Research limitations/implications There are limitations to the study due to a low response rate and the cross-sectional survey. Practical implications Practical implications of this study emphasise the importance of focussed human resource strategies to prevent bullying. Originality/value The key contribution of this research is to draw from theoretical explanations of power to inform understanding of the differences between perpetrators of bullying. The study highlights the workplace characteristics that influence bullying.

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PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR AGAINST COVID-19 AMONG VIETNAMESE PEOPLE IN THE SOCIAL DISTANCING CAMPAIGN A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

10.31219/osf.io/5sxgp ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

AISDL

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Behavior ◽

Protective Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Precautionary Measures ◽

Gender Knowledge

In the global fight against the rapid spread of COVID-19, a variety of unprecedented preventive measures have been implemented across the globe, as well as in Vietnam. How Vietnamese people respond to threats to their health and life remains unclear. For this reason, the current study aims to examine Vietnamese people’s protective behavior and its factors. Based on 1,798 online survey respondents’ data collected on the last three days of the nationwide social distancing campaign in mid-April, it is found that gender, knowledge of COVID-19 and preventive measures, and attitudes towards the COVID-19 prevention policies are the three main factors of participants’ protective behaviors. We also find that males are less likely than females to adopt precautionary measures. People who are knowledgeable about COVID-19 may have inappropriate practices towards it. Further research is needed to examine other determinants of protective behaviors to provide more useful information for authorities, public health policy-makers, and healthcare workers to deliver the best practices to control COVID-19 in our country.

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