Response to COVID-19 recommended preventive behavioral messages among Guraghe zone communities, South Ethiopia: using constructs of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM).

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 is a pandemic disease. Countries should take standard measures and responses to battle the effects of the viruses. However, little is known in Ethiopia regarding the recommended preventive behavioral messages responses. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the response to COVID-19 recommended preventive behavioral messages. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study design was carried out from 1 to 20, July 2020. We recruited 634 respondents by using a systematic sampling method. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package Software for Social Sciences version 23. Association between variables were explored using a bivariable and multi variable logistic regression model. The strength of the association is presented using odds ratio and regression coefficient with 95% confidence interval. A p-value of less than 0.05 was declared statistically significant. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-six (53.1%) of respondents had good response to recommended preventive behavioral messages. The general precise rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 92.21%. The study showed that merchant was 1.86 (p ≈ 0.01) times more likely respond to COVID-19 recommended preventive behavioral messages than government-employed. Respondents who scored one unit increase for self-efficacy and response-efficacy, the odds of responding to COVID-19 recommended preventive behavioral messages were increased by 1.22 (p < 0.001), and 1.05 times (p = 0.002) respectively. Respondents who scored one unit increase to cues to action, the odds of responding to COVID-19 recommended preventive behavioral messages were 43% (p < 0.001) less likely. CONCLUSION: Even though respondents were highly knowledgeable about COVID-19, there is a lower level of applying response to recommended preventive behavioral messages. Merchant, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and cues to action were significantly associated with response to recommended preventive behavioral messages. Like merchants, government employer should be applying preventive behavioral messages and also, participants' self and response efficacy should be strengthened to improve the response. In addition, we should be changed or modified the way how-to deliver relevant information, promoting awareness, and also using appropriate reminder systems to preventive behavioral messages.

Determinants of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards preventive measures of COVID-19 among adult residencies in Silte zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Introduction: coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) is currently a global health threat and an international public health emergency. There is a strong need to reinforce community knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) to control the spread of the virus. The study aimed to identify the determinants of KAP towards preventive measures of COVID-19 among adult residencies. Methods: a community-based cross-sectional study design was employed in the communities of Silte zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 853 participants were selected using multistage stratified sampling technique. We used structured interview administered questionnaire. The KAP level was presented in descriptive and the associated variables conducted in binary logistic regression model. Results: overall, 81.7% had good knowledge, 78.4% had a positive attitude, and 43.9% had good practices. Being a female (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR): 2.3; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.6-3.3), age between "31-40" (AOR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1-3.8) and able to read and write (AOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.7-3.7) were significantly associated factors of good knowledge towards COVID-19. Being urban resident (AOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.6) was significantly associated variable with positive attitude towards COVID-19. Being a government employee (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.7), able to read and write (AOR: 4.5; 95% CI: 3-6.7) and having good knowledge regarding COVID-19 (AOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.6-3.7) were significantly associated factors with good preventive practice towards COVID-19. Conclusion: alarmingly low preventive practice towards COVID-19 pandemic was indicated. Therefore, health education and promotion programs aimed at mobilizing and improving COVID-19-related practice are urgently needed, especially for those who are illiterate, having rural residency, or generally among underprivileged populations.

Dietary self-care and associated factors among diabetic patients in Jimma University Medical Centre, South West Ethiopia; A path analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disorder that caused about 4.2 million deaths and at least 760 billion dollars' expenditure in 2019, has been targeted for action by leaders of WHO member countries. In Ethiopia deaths, due to DM reached 34,262 in 2013. Studies show effective lifestyle interventions; particularly medical nutrition therapy reduces HbA1c by 0.5 to 2%. However, practicing recommended diet is reported to be difficult. Not only Knowledge and practice but also perception studies are therefore necessary to design future health programs. OBJECTIVE: To assess diabetic self-care, dietary practice and associated factors among diabetes patients. METHOD: Institution-basedbased cross-sectional study design was employed from february15-May15, 2020 in Jimma university medical Centre (JUMC). Systematic sampling of every other patient (K = 2.7) was employed to interview 371 participants. A previously validated tool was used to collect data through a face-to-face interview. A path analysis was used to fit the structural model and tests the hypothesized Health Belief Model (HBM) relationships. RESULT: Response rate was 95.4% (354). Around 52% of the participants were male and 76.8% follow diabetic education at least some times. 42.4% and 48% of respondents have good dietary and general self-care practices respectively. With unstandardized coefficient (standard error) self-efficacy0.10 (0.01) being the strongest cues to action0.10 (0.02), perceived threat0.02 (0.01), and perceived barrier-0.08(0.01) constructs of HBM have a significant effect on dietary practice. Knowledge, social support and diabetes distress exert a significant indirect effect on dietary practice through health belief constructs with unstandardized path coefficient (standard error) of 0.22(0.03), 0.02(0.01), and -0.03(0.004) respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, the proportion of good practice is found to be lower for both dietary as well as general self-care. HBM can best fit to explain variability in dietary self-care practice; therefore, future interventions should be designed to address the vast perception and psychosocial factors influencing dietary self-care practices.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 and associated factors among health care workers in Silte Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a pandemic respiratory disease caused by the highly contagious novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV 2). The disease is now quickly spreading around the world, resulting in ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Healthcare workers are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than the general population due to frequent contact with infected individuals. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 and associated factors among health care workers. METHODS: Facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among health care workers in Silte Zone. A total of 379 health professionals were selected using multistage stratified sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression model was used to see association between outcome and independent variables. RESULTS: This study found 74.9%, 84.2% and 68.9% prevalence of adequate knowledge, positive attitude and good practice respectively. Working in comprehensive specialized hospital (AOR = 4.46, 95% CI = 1.46-13.62).having MSC degree (AOR = 10.26, 95% CI = 2.27-46.44), and training on COVID-19 (AOR = 6.59, 95% CI = 2.97-14.65) were strongly associated with knowledge of health care workers. On the other hand, older age (AOR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.07-10.50), training on COVID-19 (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.82-7.63), Work experience (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI = 1.46-9.80) and Knowledge (AOR = 5.45, 95% CI = 2.60-11.43) were significantly associated with attitude, whereas source of information from friends or colleagues (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.28-7.66), working in primary hospital (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.21-0.620) and having good knowledge (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.03-3.14) were strongly associated with good practice of health care workers. CONCLUSION: This study found majority of health care workers had good level of knowledge and positive attitude toward COVID-19, but lower proportion of health care workers practices sufficiently in the study area. Type of health facilities, level of education, training on COVID-19, work experience, type of source of information were significantly associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers. Stakeholders need to focus on interventions that increase preventive practices of health care workers.