Assessing Uptake of COVID-19 Preventive Measures among Persons Aged 13-80 Years during Lockdown in Wakiso, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background: The unprecedented spread of COVID-19 presents a serious public health concern. However, uptake of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate current uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures and their associated factors in Wakiso, Uganda.
Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wakiso, Uganda from April to September 2020. A total of 1,014 study subjects aged 13–80 years in the population health survey (PHS) who self-reported following any of the COVID-19 preventive behavioral strategies during lockdown was selected. The dependent variable was COVID-19 preventive measures. Independent variables were gender, age, education, marital status, religion, occupation. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed using Modified Poisson regression test.
Results: Female (aPR=1.48; 95% CI= 1.34 to 1.62; p<0.001), construction and mechanics workers (aPR=1.23; 95% CI= 1.10 to 1.38; p<0.001), housework (aPR= 0.72; 95% CI= 0.64 to 0.81; p <0.001), and students (aPR=0.58; 95% CI= 0.45 to 0.74; p<0.001) were associated with staying at home. Aged 45-54 years old (aPR=0.55; 95% CI= 0.50 to 0.61; p<0.001), more than 55 years (aPR=0.80, 95% CI= 0.66 to 0.97; p= 0.022), and housework (aPR=1.18; 95% CI= 1.03 to 1.35; p= 0.015) were associated with sanitize often.
Conclusion: Female, construction and mechanic workers, housework, and student are associated with staying at home and it is statistically significant. Aged 45-54 and more than 55 years old, housework were associated with sanitize often and it is statistically significant.
Keywords: preventive measures, COVID-19, Wakiso, Uganda
Correspondence:
Alex Daama. Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization (AMBSO). Plot 7441, Nansana, Hoima Road, Wakiso, Uganda P.O Box 25974. Email: daamaalex6141@gmail.com. Mobile: +256702347102
Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2021), 06(02): 153-162
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2021.06.02.08
References
Aceng JR, Ario AR, Muruta AN, Makumbi I, Nanyunja M, Komakech I, Bakai¬naga AN, et al. (2020). Uganda’s Experience in Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Preparedness, 2018–2019. Global Health16, 24 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-005485.
Apanga PA, Bador IKL, Akunvane R (2020). Practice of COVID-19 preventive measures and its associated factors among students in Ghana. AJTHAB. 104: 531. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.201301.
Azlan AA, Rezal MH, Tham JS, Ayub SH (2020). Public Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia. PLOS ONE. 15(5):e0233668. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233668.
Beiu C, Mara M, Popa L, Cima L, Popescu MN (2020). Frequent Hand Washing for COVID-19 Prevention Can Cause Hand Dermatitis: Management Tips. Cureus. 12(4): e7506. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.7506.
Jasper CFW, Shuofeng Y, Hang KK, Wang KKT, Chu H, Yang J, Xing F, et al. (2020). A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: A study of a family cluster. The Lancet. 395: 23.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S01406736(20)30154-9.
Zhiru G, Xu Y, Sun C, Wang X, Guo Y, Qiu S (2020). A systematic review of asymptomatic infections with COVID-19. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 54(1):12-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.20-20.05.001.
Minjung L, Myoungsoon Y (2020). Psychological and Behavioral Responses in South Korea during the Early Stages of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Int J Environ. 17: 2977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17092977.
Siyue L, Feng B, Wang L, Wenjing P (2020). Internet use, risk awareness, and demographic characteristics asso-ciated with engagement in preventive behaviors and testing: Cross-sectional survey on COVID-19 in the United States. J Med Internet Res.
, 22 (19782). https://doi.org/10.2196/197-82.
Ozdemir S, Sean NG, Chaudhry I, Finkel-stein EA (2020). Adoption of preventive behaviour strategies and public perceptions about COVID-19 in Singapore. Health Policy Manage. https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2020.199Quilty BJ, Clifford S, Flasche
S, Eggo RM (2020). Effectiveness of airport screening at detecting travellers infected with Novel Coronavirus (2019-NCoV). Euro surveill. 25(5): 2000080. https://doi.org/10.2807/15607917.ES.2020.25.5.2000080.
Usman IM, Ssempijja F, Ssebuufu R, Lemuel AM, Archibong VB, Ayikobua ET, Aruwa OJ, et al. (2020). Community Drivers Affecting Adherence to WHO Guidelines Against COVID-19 among Rural Ugandan Market Vendors. Frontiers in Public Health. 8: 340. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00340
WHO (2020). Strengthening Preparedness for COVID-19 in Cities and Urban Settings. https://www.who.int/publicationsdetail/strengtheningpreparednessforcovid19incitiesandurbansettings.
Wondimagegn W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, Manaye GA et al. (2020). Factors Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Prevention Practices in Three Zones of Southwest Ethiopia: Community Based Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Gen
Med. 13: 1603-1611. https://dx.doi.org/10.2147%2FIJGM.S288-067.
Murat Y, Güler A (2020). COVID-19 severity, self-efficacy, knowledge, preventive behaviors, and mental health in Turkey. Death Stud. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2020.179343-4.
Liang ZB, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, Li Y (2020). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 Outbreak: A quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci.
: 16. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.4-5221.
