Journal des communications sur les soins de santé Libre accès

Abstrait

Practice of Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 Pandemic Precautionary Measures in Selected Three Onchocerciasis Endemic Urban Areas of Ethiopia

Kadu Meribo, Fikre Seife, Daniel Boakye, Geremew Tasew, Tadesse Kebede, Bokretsion Gidey, Fetene Sisay, Adugna Abera

Background: The human body can become infected with a Coronavirus disease through the mouth, nose, and eyes. It is contagious and spreads through cough droplets, sneezes, and direct contact. The disease is extremely contagious and has quickly spread to almost all countries in the world. It has a devastating impact on human life in both developing and developed countries. Basic precautionary measures for the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 pandemic were created and practiced in coordination with these countries to slow infection spread and subsequently bring it under control. In demand to learn mitigation efforts, this study aims to assess the extent to which these basic precautionary measures are put into practice at the community level.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey that employed both quantitative and qualitative methods was carried out in three onchocerciasis-endemic urban areas of Ethiopia. The survey contained a closed-ended, structured questionnaire used to gather information on socio-demographic data, knowledge, behavior, and attitude towards novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 pandemic precautionary measures. Key informant interviews were also conducted to produce more significant data regarding mitigation efforts and the practice of precautionary measures at the community level.

Result: Almost all (99.6%) of the survey participants were aware of the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Reportedly, in urban areas and during Ivermectin treatments, hand washing (72%) and maintaining physical distance (66%) are the precautionary measures most frequently practiced respectively. The mean difference is between 2.938 and 3.159 with a confidence interval of 95% lower and upper bounds of the scale range from 2.85 to 3.24, which agrees with the scale level “practice sometimes” that indicates the overall level of practice of precautionary measures in chosen urban areas. According to the 70.6% of participants who agreed that maintaining physical distance is an essential precautionary measure to prevent the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 pandemic in the study area.

Conclusion: Participants in the study are aware of the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 pandemic’s prevalence and its precautionary measures, such as physical distance, social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, wearing face and nose masks, etc. Even though some precautionary measures are most frequently practiced, their implementation depends on the circumstances and environments for which they are suitable and applicable.