Knowledge, Attitude And Prevention Practice Towards Covid-19 And Its Associated Factors Among Chronic Disease Patients On Follow-Up At Hospitals In South West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

Background: The pandemic of novel-coronavirus disease in 2019 has an impact on chronic patient care practices. Evidence-based communicable disease prevention initiatives have been established to reduce COVID – 19 burdens on the public and the healthcare system. Despite the development and transmission of effective interventions, patients with chronic disease in developing nations have disproportionately lower COVID-19 preventive knowledge, Attitude and Practice, as well as lower COVID-19 preventative involvement. Chronic disease patients are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection than other individuals because effective treatment and sufficient vaccines are still unavailable, especially in African countries. Because of insufficient testing and surveillance mechanisms, the true pandemic burden in Ethiopia is likely to be underestimated. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude and prevention practices towards COVID-19 and its associated factors among chronic disease patients on follow up at Hospitals in South West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 chronic disease patients using a systematic random sampling technique, from January 1, 2022 – March 1, 2022 in south west shoa zone. Data were collected by interview administered pretested, structured questionnaires. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic characteristics, and Knowledge, Attitude, Practices towards COVID-19.Descriptive statistics like frequency, distribution, percentage, charts and figures was used to present the results. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the statistical association between dependent and independent variables. Variables that have p-value < 0.25 were entered in the multivariable model. An adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was computed for variables included in the multivariable model and P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From the 422 chronic disease patients 48.1% (95% CI (43.1-53.3%), 48.3% (95% CI (43.6- 52.8), and 73% (95% CI (68.7-77.5%) had poor knowledge, attitude, and prevention practice towards COVID-19 respectively. Age 30-39 compared to aged >60 years, rural residence and had no formal education were factors significantly associated with poor knowledge towards COVID-19. Rural residence and 2500-5000 monthly income were factors significantly associated with poor attitude towards COVID 19. Age 30-39 compared to age >60 years, family member 4-6 and rural residence were factors significantly associated with poor prevention practice towards COVID-19. Conclusions: Poor knowledge, attitude, and prevention practice towards COVID- 19 were high. Independent factors associated with poor knowledge, attitude, and prevention practice towards COVID 19 were age, rural residence, had no formal education. They were strongly linked to poor knowledge of COVID-19. It was revealed major contributors to poor attitude towards COVID-19 were rural residence and low income. Age, number of family member and poor attitude substantially connected with poor prevention practice to wards COVID-19. Therefore, Health promotion on prevention and control by considering the identified associated factors, aimed at enhancing COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practice are required especially for those chronic disease patients from rural area, with low educational status, with low monthly income and old ag