Practice of Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 Pandemic Precautionary Measures in Selected Three Onchocerciasis Endemic Urban Areas of Ethiopia.
13 Pages Posted: 31 May 2023
Date Written: May 24, 2023
Abstract
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 toward novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 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 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-CoV-2 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.
Acknowledgment and Disclaimer: “This publication was supported by a grant from the END
Fund. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the END Fund”
Note:
Funding Information: This publication was supported by a grant from the END Fund.
Conflict of Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this study.
Ethical Approval: The Institutional Review Board of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI-IRB, 370-2021) granted ethical approval to conduct a study in the chosen urban areas, and letters of support were obtained from the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Bureaus in addition to the ethical approval. Each participant in the study has given written, informed consent.
Keywords: Coronavirus; Pandemic; Precautionary; Measure; Onchocerciasis
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