Factors limiting youths’ practice of preventive measures toward the outbreak of COVID-19 in Oromia special zone surrounding Finfinnee, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious viral infection, and it has negative effects on public health. The practice of preventive measures of the disease supports containment processes of the spread of coronavirus. However, the practice of preventive measures is affected by several associated risk factors. Objective This study aimed to investigate the associated factors that limit the youths’ practice of preventive measures against COVID-19 in the study area. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study used a quantitative approach for collecting data from 384 youths using a survey method. Not practicing preventive measures was measured to determine whether or not youths applied hygiene practices, kept their distance, restricted their movements, and sought self-help or support in the past two months. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the distribution of study participants, and a binary regression model was executed to examine the association factors with inability to practice preventive measures with a p-value < 0.05 statistically significant. Results Male youths (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16) were less likely to practice preventive measures. Older youth (AOR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.56), with higher education level (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06), and who had higher income (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.78) were more likely to practice preventive measures. Further, the belief in the body’s immunity to resist the disease (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.67), lack of paying attention to the disease (AOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.73), ignorance of evidence to the disease (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.74), ease of restriction of movements (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.72), lack of sensitization to actions in the community (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.96), and substance use (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.21) were other factors that were inversely related to practicing preventive measures. Conclusions The findings suggested that more intervention efforts, by either communicating to or reaching out all groups, should be employed. All segments of the population should be equipped with the facts that effectively support them practice preventive measures against the disease. Finally, the results suggested that youths should abstain from substance use, keep their distance in their pastime and avoid crowdings.

Knowledge, attitude, prevention practice, and associated factors toward COVID-19 among preparatory school students in Southwest Ethiopia, 2021

“…In another way, a difference in sample size affects the result of a study in which the larger sample size results in a more accurate determination of findings. The finding of this study is higher as compared with a study conducted at Oromia Special zone surrounding Finfinee [31] and on adult populations of Sidama regional state [27] in which 31.0% and 24.4% of the respondents adhered to COVID-19 prevention measures respectively. This may be due to a difference in source population in which students may be more likely to apply COVID-19 prevention measures as schools commenced rules and regulations regarding COVID-19.…”

Effects of Coronavirus Pandemic on Young Adults’ Ability to Access Health Services and Practice Recommended Preventive Measures

“…From our study, almost all young adults claimed that they took at least one action to control the spread of COVID-19 including hand washing and wearing face masks, but fewer young adults reported avoiding hand shaking, social distancing, avoiding groups of more than 4 people, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, and sneezing inside the elbow. This finding is consistent with other studies which found that relatively fewer young adults practiced physical distancing (Feyisa, 2021;Varol et al, 2021;Babalola et al, 2020). These findings point to the need to strengthen health education interventions including working with youth champions to promote personal responsibility in the uptake of the recommended preventive measures.…”

“…Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious and transmissible disease that spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes (WHO, 2021;Shereen, Khan, Kazmi, Bashir, & Siddique, 2020). COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, and Uganda declared its first case on March 21, 2020 (Feyisa 2021;WHO 2020;Orgilés, Morales, Delvecchio, Mazzeschi, & Espada, 2020;Oosterhoff, Palmer, Wilson, & Shook, 2020). The WHO declaration brought with it global panic, fear of contracting the disease, and the disruption of social life.…”

Associations between COVID-19 testing status, non-communicable diseases and HIV status among residents of sub-Saharan Africa during the first wave of the pandemic

“…Younger people who are male, less educated, have lower income, who pay less attention or knew very little about COVID-19 were more likely to take proactive measures against COVID-19 infection [ 45 ]. Young people are also more likely to have asymptomatic or develop mild, transient illness making it possible to ignore the symptoms as it may not disturb their routine lives [ 46 ]. This study finding therefore aligns with prior observations.…”