Population behavior and practices during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in low resource-conditions of south Kivu, east of Democratic Republic of Congo

ABSTRACT

Background: In DR Congo, South Kivu is among cities most affected by Covid 19 with its dense population and common mass movement. This study aimed at investigating the population behavior and practices during the spread period of Corona in South Kivu, East of Democratic Republic of Congo. Subjects dan Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken in South Kivu province and included 800 hundred individuals. The survey questionnaire was designed and comprised information on independent variables including socio-demographic and socioeconomic parameters, travel history of individuals, and person's history of COVID-19 comorbidity factors. These data were used to explain the dependent variable which was the population behavior and practices which was linked to the COVID-19 positivity or negativity. A rapid test of the COVID-19 antigen for people suspected of having cough and fever followed by RT-PCR tests was conducted. Statistical analyses were performed under R, version 3.5.1.