Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and, Practice Towards Covid-19 Prevention Measures and Associated Factors Among Adult Patients with Chronic Disease Attending Outpatient Chronic Care Follow-Up at Nekemte Town Public Hospitals, Western Ethiopia, 2021

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.