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Background: Knowledge and perceptions of the public about the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) play a critical role in the prevention of the disease through adopting effective preventive measures. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 as well as the source of information about the disease among government employees.
ABSTRACT
Background: Worry and perceived risk have been identified as important factors that affect people’s attitude to adopt preventive behaviors against infectious diseases outbreaks and pandemics. However, very few recent studies investigated the worry and perceived risk aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the level of worry and perceived risk of COVID-19 among government employees working in 46 public institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods This cross-sectional study used a sample of 1,573 respondents selected by systematic random sampling technique. Data on socio-demographics, worry and perceived risks of COVID-19 were collected using a self-administered questionnaire between 8th and 19th June 2020. Summary statistics were used to summarize the data. Mixed-effects linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of COVID-19 worry and perceived risk. Results The mean (± SD) age was 35 (± 8.5) years, with 58.3% aged between 30 to 49 years. About 63% were male and 87% had bachelor’s degree or above. Almost all (98%) respondents were worried about the economic crisis due to COVID-19, followed by worries related to limited access to food supplies (97%), and losing loved one’s (95%). Majority (81%) reported they were being susceptible to coronavirus, and 79% indicated they had a chance of acquiring the virus. About 61% reported their personal health’s increased risk of COVID-19 due to their work characteristics. Predictors of COVID-19 worry were increased year of service (β = 0.09, p = 0.001), being from Oromia (β = 3.93, p
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Communicable DiseasesABSTRACT
Background: Following the first report of the COVID-19 case in Ethiopia on the 13th of March 2020, the country adopted a lockdown policy to contain the spread of the virus. Responding to the health-care burden imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic had to be coupled with ensuring essential health care services. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on the trends of non-COVID follow-up visits and admissions at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective, time-series study with the 1st case of COVID-19 report as a reference time examined the trend in follow-up visits and admissions between December 1st, 2019 and May 31st, 2020. A comparison of health care utilization between December 2019 to May 2020 and its equivalent period in 2018/19 was also done. A data abstraction tool was used to collect secondary data from the hospital’s electronic medical recordings and logbooks of each unit. Results: A total of 7,717 visits from eight follow-up clinics and 3,310 admissions were collected during three months before the onset of COVID-19. During the following three months after the pandemic, 4,597 visits and 2,383 admissions were collected. Overall, a 40.4% decrease in follow-up visits and a 28% decline in admissions were observed during the COVID-19. The drop in the daily follow-up visits was observed for both genders. The number of visits in all follow-up clinics in 2019/2020 decreased when compared to the same months in 2018/19(p<0.05). Follow-up visits were substantially lower for renal patients (-68%), patients with neurologic problems (−53.9%), antiretroviral treatment clinics (−52.3%), cardiac patients (−51.4%). Although pediatric emergency admission was significantly lower (−54.1%) from the baseline (p=0.04), admissions from the general pediatric and adult wards did not show a significant difference. Conclusions: Significant decreases in-hospital follow-up clinic visits were observed during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health guidance on how best to access care, more for patients with serious illnesses are required. Promoting self-care, alternatives health-care services like home-based care, and phone clinics might be considered for patients with mild symptoms. Further studies needed to track the long-term effect of the pandemic among non-COVID-19 patients.
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COVID-19ABSTRACT
BackgroundPublic health measures are critical to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Ethiopia has implemented a variety of essential public health measures in response to the spread of the virus. This study aimed to assess social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1573 government employees selected from 46 public institutions (16 National, 18 from Addis Ababa City Administration, and 12 from Oromia Regional State) located in Addis Ababa. Data were collected from 8th to 19th June 2020 using a paper-based self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. ANOVA and t-tests were applied to assess the difference between groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with outcome variables. ResultsThe majority of the participants reported wearing of facemask (96%), avoiding close contact with people including handshaking (94.5%), frequent had washing (94.1%), maintaining physical distancing (89.5%), avoiding mass gatherings (88.1%), and restricting movement and travelling (84.1%). More than 80% of the participants perceived that consistently wearing a facemask is highly effective in preventing the transmission of coronavirus. Participants from Oromia reported statistically significantly lower odds of perceived effectiveness of facemask in preventing coronavirus infection (adjusted OR=0.27, 95% CI:0.17-0.45). About 19% of the respondents reported that they had ever tested for COVID-19. Participants within the age groups of 18-29 were more likely to test for coronavirus than the older age groups. Whilst, respondents from Oromia were less likely to test for coronavirus than those from national level (adjusted OR=0.31, 95% CI:0.16-0.60). About one-third (31.3%) of the respondents strongly agreed that the policy responses that the Government had taken to contain the spread of coronavirus were reasonable, and 38.5% agreed with the policy responses. ConclusionsThe findings showed higher social distancing and preventive practices among the government employees in response to COVID-19. People should properly apply social distancing measures, wearing facemasks, and washing hands frequently with water and soap as a comprehensive package of SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control strategies. Rules and regulations imposed by the Government should be properly enforced in order to control the pandemic.
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COVID-19ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is among the most obscure global pandemics resulting in diverse health and economic disruptions. It adversely affects the routine health care delivery and health service uptake by patients. However, its impact on care-seeking behavior is largely unknown in Ethiopia. Objective: This study was to determine the impact of the pandemic on the care-seeking behavior of patients with chronic health conditions at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based survey conducted between May and July 2020 on patients whose appointment was between March to June 2020. A sample of 750 patients was approached using phone calls and data collection was done using a pretested questionnaire. After cleaning, the data entered into the IBM SPSS software package for analysis. Results: A total of 644 patients with a median age of 25 years, and an M: F ratio of 1:1.01 was described with a response rate of 86%. A loss to follow-up missed medication and death occurred in 70%, 12%, and 1.3% of the patients respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients above 60 years old were more likely to miss follow-up (OR-23.28 (9.32-58.15), P<001). Patients who reported fear of COVID-19 at the hospital were 19 times more likely to miss follow-up (adjusted OR=19.32, 95% CI:10.73-34.79, P<0.001), while patients who reported transportation problems were 6.5 times more likely to miss follow-up (adjusted OR=6.11, 95% CI:3.06-12.17, P<0.001). Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic affected the care-seeking behavior of patients with chronic medical conditions adversely and the impact was more pronounced among patients with severe disease, fear of COVID19, and transportation problems. Education on preventive measures of COVID-19, use of phone clinics, and improving chronic illness services at the local health institutions may reduce loss to follow-up among these patients.
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COVID-19 , DeathABSTRACT
Background: In the absence of effective treatments or vaccines, the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can be minimized by effectively implementing preventive measures. Knowledge and perceptions of the public about COVID-19 play a critical role in behavioral changes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 as well as source of information about the disease among government employees. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1,573 government employees from 46 public institutions located in Addis Ababa was undertaken from 8th to 19th June 2020. Paper-based self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. ANOVA test and t-test were used to assess the difference between groups. Results: The respondents demonstrated very high knowledge of the cause of COVID-19 (93%), its main clinical symptoms (>90%), the main modes of transmission (89%), the main preventive measures (>90%). Almost all respondents reported that people with recent travel history (86.8%) or people who had contact with COVID-19 patients (93.5%) were the high-risk groups to be infected with coronavirus. In addition, more than half (50.9%) of the study participants reported that people without travel history nor had contact with confirmed cases are also most likely to be infected with the virus. About 84% of the respondents perceived that older adults and elderly were most at risk to die from COVID-19. Similarly, the majority of the respondents reported that adults with other underlying health problems (95.4%), cigarette smokers (88.1%) and substance users (87.5%) were more likely to die from the disease. An electronic media such as television (85.5%), social media (74.1%), online materials (71.1%) and radio (60.8%) constituted the primary sources of information about COVID-19, followed by healthcare workers (66.6%) and print materials (35.4%). Television (32.2%) and health workers (30.5%) constituted the most trusted sources of information related to COVID-19. Conclusions: This study has showed higher level of knowledge and favorable perception among respondents about COVID-19. Knowledge and perceptions have great roles in behavioral change and efforts should be focused on improving the perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits of preventive behavioral changes by providing timely and adequate information.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , InfectionsABSTRACT
Healthcare 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.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Risk of infection can be minimized by use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). This study assessed the availability of PPE and satisfaction of HCPs in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 9th to 26th June 2020. The study hospitals included: Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Ghandi Memorial Hospital, Menelik II Hospital, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College and St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with the satisfaction level of healthcare workers with regard to the availability and use of proper PPE during the current COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1,134 (92.3%) valid questionnaires from a possible 1,228 were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 30.26 (6.43) year and 52.6% were females. Nurses constituted about 40% of the overall sample, followed by physicians (22.2%), interns (10.8%), midwives (10.3%) and others (16.7%). An overall shortage of PPE was reported in all study hospitals. The majority (77%) of the healthcare professionals reported that their hospital did not have adequate PPE. A critical shortage of N95 respirator was particularly reported, the self-reported availability of N95 increased from 13% to 24% before and during COVID-19, respectively. The self-reported use of N95 increased from 9% to 21% before and during COVID-19, respectively. Almost 72% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the availability of PPE in their hospital. The independent predictors of the respondents satisfaction level about PPE were male gender (adjusted OR=1.39, 95% CI:1.05-1.85), healthcare workers who reported that PPE was adequately available in the hospital (adjusted OR=7.53, 95% CI:5.08-11.16), and preparedness to provide care to COVID-19 cases (adjusted OR=1.65, 95% CI:1.22-2.12). A critical shortage of appropriate PPE both before and during COVID-19 was identified. The high level of dissatisfaction with the availability of PPE might potentially lead to a lower level of preparedness and readiness to fight against COVID-19. Therefore, urgent efforts are needed to adequately supply the healthcare facilities with appropriate PPE to alleviate the challenges.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Healthcare 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.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Since its emergence in December 2019, COVID-19 has rapidly developed into a pandemic with many countries declaring emergency conditions to contain its spread. The impact of the disease, while it has been relatively low in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) so far, is feared to be potentially devastating given the less developed and fragmented health care system in the continent. In addition, most emergency measures practiced may not be effective due to their limited affordability as well as the communal way people in SSA live in relative isolation in clusters of large as well as smaller population centers. To address the acute need for estimates of the potential impacts of the disease once it sweeps through the region, we developed a process-based model with key parameters obtained from recent studies, taking local context into consideration. We further used the model to estimate the number of infections within a year of sustained local transmissions under a total of 216 scenarios that cover different sizes of population, urban status, effectiveness and coverage of social distancing, contact tracing and usage of cloth facemask. We showed that when implemented early, 50% coverage of contact tracing and facemask, with 33% effective social distancing policies can "flattens the curve" of local epidemics and even bending it enough to result in fewer cumulative infections, bringing the pandemic to a manageable level for all population sizes we assessed. In SSA countries with limited healthcare workforce, hospital resources and ICU care, a robust system of social distancing, contact tracing and facemask use could yield in outcomes that prevent several millions of infections and thousands of deaths across the continent. FundingNo funding source.