Findings of a Cross-Sectional Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about COVID-19 in Uganda: Implications for Public Health Prevention and Control Measures

Joint Authors

Okello, Gerald
Izudi, Jonathan
Teguzirigwa, Steven
Kakinda, Allan
Van Hal, Guido

Source

BioMed Research International

Issue

Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-8, 8 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2020-12-10

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

8

Main Subjects

Medicine

Abstract EN

Background.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) morbidity is rising in Uganda.

However, data are limited about people’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Objective.

To determine knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes towards presidential directives and Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines, and adherence to practicing public health preventive measures (KAP) in Uganda.

Methods.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 28 and May 19, 2020.

Data were collected using online social media platforms, websites, and popular media outlets.

We descriptively summarized data and categorized KAP scores as knowledgeable about COVID-19, positive attitude towards presidential directives and MoH guidelines, and adherent to public health preventive measures, respectively.

We tested sex differences in KAP using tests of significance and established independently associated factors using modified Poisson regression analysis, reported using adjusted prevalence risk ratio (aPR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results.

We studied 362 participants with the following sociodemographic characteristics: 86 (23.8%) aged 25-29 years, 212 (58.6%) males, 270 (74.6%) with tertiary or university levels of education, and 268 (74.0%) urban residents.

Of the 362 participants, 264 (93.9%) were knowledgeable about COVID-19 (94.1% males and 93.8% females), 51.3% had positive attitudes towards presidential directives and MoH guidelines (51.0% male and 51.8% female), and 175 (48.3%) were adherent to practicing public health preventive measures (42.9% males and 56.0% females).

Compared to males, our data shows that females were more adherent to practicing public health preventive measures (aPR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01-1.53), knowledgeable about COVID-19 (aPR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.95-1.07), and had positive attitudes towards directives and guidelines (aPR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.82-1.25).

Conclusions.

This study shows that public health prevention efforts should be directed to closing the identified gaps in KAP among Ugandans in order to halt the spread of COVD-19 in Uganda as well as the East African region.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Okello, Gerald& Izudi, Jonathan& Teguzirigwa, Steven& Kakinda, Allan& Van Hal, Guido. 2020. Findings of a Cross-Sectional Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about COVID-19 in Uganda: Implications for Public Health Prevention and Control Measures. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1135094

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Okello, Gerald…[et al.]. Findings of a Cross-Sectional Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about COVID-19 in Uganda: Implications for Public Health Prevention and Control Measures. BioMed Research International No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1135094

American Medical Association (AMA)

Okello, Gerald& Izudi, Jonathan& Teguzirigwa, Steven& Kakinda, Allan& Van Hal, Guido. Findings of a Cross-Sectional Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about COVID-19 in Uganda: Implications for Public Health Prevention and Control Measures. BioMed Research International. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1135094

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-1135094