Abstract:
Background: Coronavirus disease was first detected in China in December 2019. Controlling an
epidemic requires changing people's knowledge, attitudes, and practices especially, the high-risk
groups.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and, practice towards
COVID-19 prevention practice and associated factors in patients with chronic disease at Nekemte town
public hospitals.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 chronic disease patients
attending outpatient chronic care clinics from May to June 2021 at Nekemte town public hospitals,
Western Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. An
interviewer-based questionnaire was used. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with a 95%
confidence interval was used to identify factors associated with poor knowledge, negative attitude, and
poor practice towards COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was
used to determine the magnitude of the association between the outcome and independent variables. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
Result: A total of 403 study participants included in this study with 100% response rate. Prevalence of
poor knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practice towards COVID-19 prevention measures were
38.7% (95%CI (33.93-43.49%), 47.4% (95%CI (42.5-52.29%), and 58.3% (95%CI (53.48-63.15%),
respectively. In multiple logistic regression analysis, unable to read and write (AOR 2.58, 95%CI 1.29,
5.17) and widowed marital status (AOR 0.29, 95%CI 0.11, 0.73) were predictors of poor knowledge
whereas being rural resident (AOR1.96, 95%CI 1.11-3.48), Television as source of information, (AOR
0.54, 95%CI 0.32, 0.89), and poor knowledge (AOR 2.00, 95%CI 1.27, 3.16) were predictors of
negative attitude. Age group ( 40-60) years (AOR 0.53, 95%CI 0.34, 0.84), being farmer (AOR 2.17,
95%CI 1.14, 4.15), source of information, and having poor knowledge about COVID-19 prevention and
control measures (AOR 1.79, 95%CI 1.15, 2.79) were significantly associated with poor practice.
Conclusion: The study found that still the knowledge, attitude, and prevention practice of chronic
disease patients is insufficient to control and prevent the COVID-19 virus. Thus, health professionals,
especially those working at chronic care clinic should provide in-depth information about COVID-19 to
their patients. Thus, health professionals, especially those working at chronic care clinic should provide
in-depth information about COVID-19 to their patients. Moreover, Medias, NGOs, and any other
concerned bodies should work on these patients through behavioral change education towards COVID 19 prevention practice.
