<p>COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevention Practices Among People with Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Attending Public Health Facilities in Ambo, Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Background: To confirm effective preventive practice and reduce the risk of COVID-19 data on knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices (KAP) are essential. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the KAP of COVID-19 among people with hypertension (HTN) and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) attending public health facilities in Ambo town. Patients and Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was done among patients with HTN and/or DM from June 2020 to September 2020 at Ambo University Referral Hospital (AURH) and Ambo General Hospital (AGH). To identify the associated factors with poor practice and knowledge, logistic regression analyses were used. Results: The mean age of the study respondents was 44.6 years (± 9.84) of which the majority were male 235 (55.6%) and 159 (37.59%) of the participants had good knowledge. Concerning attitude, 335 (79.2%) have strongly believed that DM and HTN patients were more at risk of death because of COVID-19. Only 44 (10.4%) of them had a good level of COVID-19 prevention practice measures. Patients who use the source of information daily were 54.4% less likely to have poor knowledge about COVID-19 than those who use it weekly. Participants with no formal education were 3 times more likely to have poor COVID-19 prevention practice than those who were with formal education, and participants who have poor knowledge about COVID-19 were 2 times more likely to have poor COVID-19 prevention practice than those who have knowledge. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor knowledge about COVID-19 was low, and only less than ¾ of the participants strongly believed COVID-19 as a serious disease. A small percentage of participants had a good level of COVID-19 prevention practice. Good knowledge had an association with a good level of prevention practice. So, health sectors should work to increase accessibility of COVID-19 information.

COVID-19 Prevention Practices and Associated Factors among Diabetes and HIV/AIDS Clients in South-Wollo Zone, Ethiopia: A Health Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…In addition to this, a study conducted among diabetes mellitus and hypertensive clients attending public health facilities in Ambo shows that 10.4% of study subjects had good COVID-19 prevention practice measures which are very low as compared to our study finding. 16 Besides this, a study in Debre Tabor General Hospital, Ethiopia, showed that about 49.0% have good prevention practice towards COVID-19 which is higher than the finding of this study. 17 However, 60.8% of study subjects in Cameron showed that good preventive practice for COVID-19.…”

“…Again this was supported by the finding from a study done among Chronic Patients at Addis Zemen Hospital, Ethiopia. 16 Similarly, a study conducted among diabetic and hypertensive clients visiting community health facilities in Ambo, Ethiopia indicates that those who do not have formal education were associated with poor prevention practice. 16 …”

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

“…A study in Sierra Leon found that social media was strongly associated with increased knowledge and avoiding crowds. 16 This was represented in several studies 21,22 that stated those with good knowledge are more likely to adopt precaution measures. Information source from the national ministry of health was also associated with increased risk perception towards…”

“…In Ambo, Ethiopia, daily access to information reduces the level of poor knowledge by 54.4%. 22 In other ways, students with higher knowledge levels have a higher risk perception of COVID-19. 23 To mitigate COVID-19 transmission, Debre Berhan University has established general rules and regulations.…”

Development and Validation of the Knowledge and Attitude Scale Toward COVID-19 Pandemic Breaking Transmission Chain (KA-C) Among Iranian Population

“…Scales must be used to fill this gap and encourage a sound awareness of COVID-19, which would aid in disease control. Behavioral improvements and positive attitudes rely primarily on the level of COVID-19 expectations and knowledge of preventive activities ( 35 ).…”