Community’s perceived high risk of coronavirus infections during early phase of epidemics are significantly influenced by socio-demographic background, in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional -study

Abstract

Background Epidemiological studies during the early phase of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemics reported different level of people’s risk perception in different countries. There is a paucity of data on perceived high risk of COVID-19 and associated factors in Ethiopia. We sought to assess the prevalence of community’s perceived high risk about COVID-19 infections and associated factors among Gondar town community. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from April 20 to 27, 2020 in Gondar town community, Northwest Ethiopia. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit 635 participants. Structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to summarize the results. Results A total of 623 participants were considered in the analysis with a response rate of 98.1%. The prevalence of coronavirus high risk perceptions of the respondents was found to be 23.11% (95% CI; 19.80%–26.43%). Age above 45 years (AOR = 1.41, 95%CI; 1.19–2.66), college and above educational level (AOR = 0.28, 95%CI; 0.21–0.98), and poor knowledge towards COVID-19 virus (AOR = 1.57, 95%CI; 1.09–2.23) were significantly associated with perceived high risk about COVID-19. Conclusions The prevalence of perceived high risk of COVID-19 was found to be low. Factors such as age, educational status, and knowledge about COVID-19 virus were found to be independent predictors of perceived high risk towards COVID-19. Government and non-government organizations should use formal and informal means of educating the community.

Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Related Factors Among University Students in Ethiopia During School Reopening

“…Students aged 26–35 years were three times more likely to have a high perceived risk compared to those who are younger. This finding was in line with reports from Gondar 7 and Southwest Ethiopia. 11 Besides, a study in China found that for every one-year increase of age, there is a 4.9% increased perceived risk of COVID-19.…”

“… 14 However, our result was lower than the study done in Southwest Ethiopia (53.4%), 11 Ghana (68.3%), 15 and Sierra Leone (75%). 16 Moreover, the study found a higher risk perception than 23.11% in Gondar, 7 and 7.6% in India. 17 This might be due to the differences in the study period, study population, data collection tool and procedures, and level of spread of the virus across countries and communities.…”

“… 11 The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the items were 0.74 and this demonstrated a satisfactory internal consistency. 7 …”

“…One study has suggested that only 23% of communities in Ethiopia had a high-risk perception towards COVID-19. 7 As of 22 February 2021, in Ethiopia, COVID-19 has caused 151,857 confirmed cases and 2,271 deaths. 8 University students are one of the most dynamic groups with strong mobility and socialization.…”

Structural Zero Data of COVID-19 Discovers Exodus Probabilities

“…This article (PMID 32617314) discusses the trajectory in detail about the trajectory in various countries. The reader is referred to 1,3,4,[8][9][10][11][12][14][15][16][17] for recent epidemiological and public health developments on collected data, including the Malaysian data that are analyzed and interpreted in this article. The outcome of their online anonymous survey is summarized in Table 1 through 3.…”