Community’s Knowledge and Prevention Practice against COVID-19: North Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2. In Ethiopia,
the first case of the disease was reported on March 12, 2020. Since then the government has taken measures like
suspending large gatherings, contact tracing, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing. However, there have
been no studies that examined the status of knowledge and prevention practice of the community in North Showa
zone, Oromia region, against COVID-19. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and prevention practice of
the community against COVID-19.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the North Showa, Oromia region, from April
23-May 23, 2020. Data were collected from 633 community members using a pretested structured questionnaire.
Multistage sampling technique was used to select participants. The data were entered into EpiData Version 4.4.6 and
exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic
regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with knowledge and prevention practice against
severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Two hundred eighty-five (46.9 %) of the study participants had good knowledge against COVID-19, whereas
only 106 (17.6%) of the respondents had good practice of preventive measures against COVID-19. Urban residents
(AOR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.43, 4.92) were more likely to have good knowledge than their rural counterparts. Having good
knowledge among uneducated study participants was lower by 81% (AOR=0.191; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.51) as compared
to those who had a diploma or degree. The study participants that had no formal education at all were less likely to
take preventive measures against COVID-19 (AOR=0.344; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.98), compared to those who had a diploma
or degree.
Conclusion: In this study, nearly half and one-fifth of the study participants had good knowledge and good practice
of preventive measures against COVID-19, respectively. Hence, the zonal health office in collaboration with stakeholders like Ethiopian Public Health Institutes and the Federal Ministry of Health should continue the provision of
health information dissemination to the community members who are at risk.