ABSTRACT
Background. The COVID-19 outbreak is in an accelerating phase, and South Africa (SA) has had the highest number of documented cases during the early phase of the pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.Objectives. To assess South Africans' understanding of and response to COVID-19 during the first week of the country's lockdown period.Methods. An online survey was conducted in SA from 27 March to 2 April 2020. The survey was distributed widely among several websites and social media networks, including on a data-free platform. Descriptive statistics of knowledge, risk perception, access to and trust in information sources, and public and media opinions were calculated. Estimates were benchmarked to the 2019 national adult population estimates.Results. Of the 55 823 participants, the majority (83.4%) correctly identified the main symptoms of COVID-19. Over 90% had correct knowledge of the incubation period, with lower rates for 18 - 29-year-olds. Knowledge of symptoms and the incubation period varied significantly by population group (p<0.001), dwelling type (p<0.001) and sex (p<0.001). A quarter (24.9%) perceived themselves as at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Risk perception varied by age, population group, employment status and dwelling type (p<0.001). The most prevalent COVID-19 information sources were government sources (72.9%), news websites/apps (56.3%), satellite television (51.6%) and local television (51.4%).Conclusions. Understanding knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of people facing the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for guiding strategic policy. These findings provide public understanding of COVID-19 as the phases of the country-level epidemic progress, and also directly inform communication needs and gaps
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , South AfricaABSTRACT
Objective. There is a real risk of transmitting HIV through open wounds during participation in sport. The aim of this study was to investigate athlete s knowledge and attitudes towards HIV transmission in a competitive sport environment how their sporting codes; demographics; knowledge and interaction with colleagues influenced their attitudes. Design. A questionnaire was administered to elite athletes (N = 575) competing in 11 sport codes including high; medium and low-risk sports; and undergraduate students (N = 46) from a Sport Science Department. Athletes from all economic backgrounds; who competed at national; provincial or at first-division level; were included in this study. The questionnaire was distributed during national tournaments and training sessions. Results. Sixty-three per cent of athletes believed that a risk of HIV transmission exists in sport participation. Fiftyeight per cent believed that they had a right to know if a teammate/opponent was HIV-positive; and 62 believed that all athletes should be tested for HIV. Fifty per cent of the respondents indicated that they would participate against individuals who were HIV-positive. Most athletes (88) believed that more education on HIV transmission in sport was needed and 58 felt that HIV should be a notifiable disease in sport. Forty-six per cent of the athletes indicated that they would participate in competition even though they were HIV-positive. Conclusion. The threat of infection or transmission did not deter athletes who were afflicted or unafflicted with HIV from participating in competitive sports