RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents an important and urgent threat to global health and its effect is expected to get even worse in the middle- and low-income countries where the health system is weak and fragile. Timely access to accurate information and public awareness on prevention methods is one of the feasible interventions in these countries. Identifying level of public awareness on disease prevention is important to mitigate the pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore the level of awareness and prevention methods of COVID-19 among residents in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A qualitative study using a qualitative descriptive approach was conducted. Community members engaged in different service sectors were selected purposively. A total of 22 in-depth interviews were done. The transcripts were imported into OpenCode version 4.02 software packages. A qualitative thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The findings revealed that 95.5% of the participants had heard about the disease COVID-19 and realized common modes of transmission. Some participants linked the disease with resentment of God on people or anger of God towards human kind. Importance of consuming hot drinks, ginger or garlic to prevent the disease was reported by participants. Negative attitude towards quarantine and isolation centers and stigmatizing people with a cough were documented in this assessment. Stigma and fear of isolation centers may prevent people from reporting the symptom of the disease and this can create favorable ground for the transmission. Challenges like problem of consistent availability of water supply, affordability of materials used to keep hygiene by rural poor, and keeping physical distancing in different public gathering places were reported. CONCLUSION: Concerned bodies need to address gaps in public awareness by providing health education and continuous awareness creation.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Men play indispensable role in health and wellbeing of mothers and children. Their level of involvement with regards to birth preparedness and complication readiness is understudied. This study was therefore carried out to assess male involvement and associated factors in birth preparedness and complication readiness in Debre Berhan town, North East Ethiopia. METHODS: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1st - 30th, 2014 in Debre Berhan town among 806 study participants. Cluster sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to check associations and control confounding. RESULTS: The study showed that male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness found to be 51.4%. Educational status of tertiary level (AOR = 4.37 95% (CI: 2.10, 9.13), having 1 or 2 children (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI:1.30,4.87) and 3 or 4 (AOR = 5.19, 95% CI:2.44,11.03), knowledge of danger signs (AOR = 7.71, 95% (CI:5.15, 11.54), knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (AOR = 11.98, 95% CI:7.73,18.56) and attitude (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.41,3.51) were significantly associated with male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness. CONCLUSION: Male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness found to be low in study area. Education, number of children, knowledge on danger signs, knowledge on birth preparedness and complication readiness and attitude were factors associated with male involvement. Creating awareness on danger signs of pregnancy, birth preparedness and complication readiness both at community and institutional level were recommended in order to increase male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.
