Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Mozambique: Two Consecutive Online Surveys

Abstract

We assessed adherence to government recommendations implemented shortly after the introduction of COVID-19 in Mozambique in March 2020, through two online cross-sectional surveys in April and June 2020. We quantified adherence to preventive measures by a composite score comprising of five measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, cough hygiene, and avoidance of touching the face. 3770 and 1115 persons participated in the first and second round respectively. Wearing face masks, regular handwashing and cough hygiene all reached compliance rates of over 90% while physical distancing and avoiding to touch the face reached a compliance rate of 80–90%. A multivariable model investigating factors associated with adherence found that being older, more educated, and belonging to the healthcare sector increased the odds for higher adherence. Private workers and retired people, respondents receiving COVID-19 information through social media, and those who reported flu-like symptoms were less likely to adhere. 6% of respondents reported flu-like symptoms which aligned with the WHO clinical definition of COVID-19, suggesting low level community transmission. In conclusion, most respondents in this online survey in Mozambique complied well with strategies to prevent COVID-19. Whether the good preventive behaviour explains the low grade COVID-19 transmission requires further study.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Cuenca, Ecuador, October 2020, a Cross-Sectional Study

“…A higher level of education, with the exception of tertiary education level, was associated with a higher adherence level. This was also reported in a similar survey recently conducted in Mozambique [ 10 ]. Earning a monthly income of at least 200$ and having enough resources for living were associated with a higher adherence level.…”

Adherence towards COVID‐19 prevention measures and associated factors in Hossana town, South Ethiopia, 2021

“…This finding reveal that covering the mouth while sneezing or coughing was 63.6%, which is higher than studies conducted in the districts of Dire Dawa 9 and Dirashe, South Ethiopia, 13 32.7% and 42.7%, respectively, and lower than the Mozambique 16 and Uganda 14 reports, which were 96.9% and 86%, respectively. The difference in these may be due to the study climate or socio‐economic characteristics of the respondents or the difference in awareness.…”

Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and associated factors in Oromia regional state of Ethiopia

“…Similarly, in Egypt and Nigeria, only 36% of the participants implemented all the recommended measures despite most (96%) practiced self-isolation and physical distancing [ 13 ]. In Uganda, only 29% were adherent to all the preventive measures [ 14 ]. In contrast, in Mozambique, the use of wearing face masks, regular hand washing and cough hygiene all reached compliance rates of over 90% [ 15 ].…”