Factors predicting knowledge on COVID-19 misconceptions and perception of government efforts in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> With the increasing rate of COVID-19 cases and mortality across the globe, countries and most people have adopted precautionary and preventive measures to avoid been infected with the disease. However, several trending myths and misconceptions also floods the world during this era.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 587 participants (53% males, 78% aged 18-30 years, and 74% having at least tertiary level education) in Ghana, using a convenience snowballing sampling approach. A self-designed questionnaire based on “World Health Organization (WHO) myth-busters” was used for data collection. A logistic regression model was developed to explore variables predicting misconceptions.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>With about 75% of respondents believing they knew “a lot” about coronavirus, 41% (confidence interval: 37-45) reported a high level of knowledge on the new coronavirus misconceptions. Social media (87%), and television/radio (57%) were the major sources of knowledge. Masters/Ph.D. degree education, National democratic congress (NDC) political members, other political party members, excellent self-health ratings, social media, respondents that anticipate a remedy in 1-5 years, and the perception that the government is “not doing enough” in fighting the pandemic, were reported factors predicting knowledge in a multiple logistic regression model (p<0.05). Region of residence, political affiliation, self-health ratings, predicted time of remedy, and level of knowledge on covid-19 misconceptions were also associated with the perception of government efforts (p<0.05).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Most Ghanaians have much belief in trending misinformation related to the pandemic. Public health education and campaigns should address these misconceptions and encourage the public to seek information from credible sources.</p>

Factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge among Ghanaians: A national survey

“…COVID-19 is a new disease, with emerging discoveries every now and then, sometimes accompanied with misinformation [ 15 , 16 ]. Misconceptions and inappropriate knowledge about COVID-19 have been reported in Ghana [ 16 ].…”

“…COVID-19 is a new disease, with emerging discoveries every now and then, sometimes accompanied with misinformation [ 15 , 16 ]. Misconceptions and inappropriate knowledge about COVID-19 have been reported in Ghana [ 16 ]. As a result, to effectively manage the disease, it is important to assess the knowledge level, risk perception of the populace on a regular basis.…”

“…As a result, to effectively manage the disease, it is important to assess the knowledge level, risk perception of the populace on a regular basis. This will aid in the dissemination of discoveries about the mode of spread and preventive measures, thus helping in the fight against the disease in Ghana [ 16 ]. Adequate knowledge of COVID-19 may enable the populace to adhere to instituted government protocols and other preventive measures [ 16 ].…”

“…This will aid in the dissemination of discoveries about the mode of spread and preventive measures, thus helping in the fight against the disease in Ghana [ 16 ]. Adequate knowledge of COVID-19 may enable the populace to adhere to instituted government protocols and other preventive measures [ 16 ].…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Misconceptions towards COVID-19 among Sub-Sahara Africans

“…Singles had a higher level of misconception. This can be linked to singles spending more on the internet than married individuals (Bondah and Agyemang, 2020), and the internet as the greatest source of information on COVID-19 including misconceptions can be inferred as the reason for a higher level of misconception among singles. 43.9% of the respondents also believe COVID-19 can be detected through thermal scanners.…”