Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of chronic disease patients in Bojanala towards COVID-19

Abstract

Studies carried out in Africa showed that poor knowledge of COVID-19 was associated with poor practice of measures able to prevent the disease. 2,3 Internationally, the relatively high knowledge level and positive attitude justified healthy preventive practices towards Furthermore, studies on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 have shown that good KAP constitute the backbone of the fight against the disease. 6,7 The correlation between non-communicable diseases and COVID-19 disease severity has been widely described. 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 The middle-aged, the elderly and patients with chronic disease Background: COVID-19 is an acute respiratory disease. Its morbidity and mortality in patients with comorbidities have been established. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding COVID-19 of patients with comorbidities attending primary health care services.Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, with data collected from patients using a self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge, attitude and practice scores were calculated. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used, and the level of significance was set at 5%. Results:This study enrolled 469 participants aged 18-84 years, and the majority were women. The mean knowledge score was 7.09 ± 1.73 out of 9, the mean attitude score was 2.33 ± 0.86 out of 3, and the mean practices score was 3.79 ± 0.56 out of 4. There was a positive linear relationship between knowledge and attitude scores and between attitude and practices scores; as one score increased, the other also increased significantly. Conclusion:The level of knowledge was good in general, with optimistic attitudes and good practices by the patients. Those aged 70 years and above need special attention because older persons have poorer knowledge of and practices towards COVID-19, which could lead to higher hospitalisation and mortality rates.Contribution: This study found that patients with chronic diseases had good COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes and practices, while interventions targeting patients aged 70 years and above are needed to improve their COVID-19 awareness and practices.