Inge Kleinhans, Siphesihle K Mahanjana, Lehlohonolo Kumalo, Brian Brümmer, Ashley Chitaka, Zandile D Nukeri, Fiona Els, Sizeka Mashele, Michelle Groome, Natalie Mayet, Ramasedi S Mokoena, Emily B Atuheire, Joy I Ebonwu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Adherence to COVID-19 prevention and control measures is related to people's knowledge, attitudes and practices.
Setting: In Thabo Mofutsanyana District, the proportion of reported community COVID-19-related deaths was higher than in-facility reported deaths.
Aim: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of the community towards COVID-19.
Methods: A survey was conducted among consenting adults from 28 February 2022 to 4 March 2022. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the responses and logistic regression used to assess factors associated with poor knowledge towards COVID-19.
Results: A total of 551 participants' data were analysed, most of whom were < 40 years (63%) and female (68%). Despite 43.4% having education levels below high school, 89% knew that anyone could contract COVID-19, mainly through television and/or radio (74%) and social media (53%). The majority practiced mask-wearing (84%) and social distancing (80%), while 65% indicated they will use home remedies if there was severe COVID-19 infection. Older age group (OR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.17-4.89; p = 0.015), higher education level (OR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.39-0.87; p = 0.009) and higher monthly income were each associated with poor knowledge towards COVID-19 but the significance did not remain in multivariate model.
Conclusion: Participants had good knowledge of COVID-19; however, a high proportion supported the use of home remedies in severe COVID-19 infections. This underscores the need to enhance the health-seeking behaviour of communities through health education and community engagement, using television and/or radio and social media.
Contribution: Study findings are useful to inform preparedness and response strategies in communities.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Public Health in Africa (JPHiA) is a peer-reviewed, academic journal that focuses on health issues in the African continent. The journal editors seek high quality original articles on public health related issues, reviews, comments and more. The aim of the journal is to move public health discourse from the background to the forefront. The success of Africa’s struggle against disease depends on public health approaches.