The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted and changed lives on a global scale since its emergence and spread from China in late 2019. It has caused millions of infections, and ...thousands of deaths worldwide. However, the control of this pandemic still remains unachievable in many African countries including Egypt and Nigeria, despite the application of some strict preventive and control measures. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of Egyptians and Nigerians towards the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was designed as a cross-sectional community-based questionnaire survey in both countries. Participants' demography, knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards the COVID-19 outbreak were obtained using a convenience sampling technique. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. A total of 1437 respondents were included in this preliminary report. The mean knowledge score was 14.7±2.3. The majority of the respondents (61.6%) had a satisfactory knowledge of the disease. Age (18-39 years), education (College/bachelors), and background of respondents were factors influencing knowledge levels. The attitude of most respondents (68.9%) towards instituted preventive measures was satisfactory with an average attitude score of 6.9 ± 1.2. The majority of the respondents (96%) practiced self-isolation and social-distancing but only 36% follow all health recommendations. The perception of most respondents (62.1%) on the global efforts at controlling the virus and preventing further spread was satisfactory with an average score of 10.9 ± 2.7. Only 22% of the respondents were satisfied with their country's handling of the pandemic. An apprehensive understanding of the current status in Africa through studies like KAP is crucial to avoid Africa being the next epicenter of the pandemic. For the populace to follow standard infection prevention and control measures adequately, governments need to gain the trust of citizens by strengthening the health systems and improving surveillance activities in detecting cases, to offer the optimum health services to their communities.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The impact of Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is ongoing despite the declaration that the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic has ended. In this study, we explore the prevalence of PCC among healthcare workers ...(HCWs) in four African Countries and its influence on their professional performance. This study was conducted as an online cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers from four African countries (Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, and Somalia) between the 20th of December 2021 to 12th of January 2022. We determined the prevalence of PCC based on the WHO case definition and assessed variables associated with a higher prevalence of PCC in these countries using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A total of 706 HCWs from four African countries were included in this survey. Most of the HCWs were aged between 18–34 years (75.8%, n = 535). Our findings showed that 19.5% (n = 138) of the HCWs had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. However, 8.4% (n = 59) were symptomatic for COVID-19 but tested negative or were never tested. Two-thirds of the HCWs (66.4%, n = 469) have received a COVID-19 vaccine and 80.6% (n = 378) of those vaccinated had been fully vaccinated. The self-reported awareness rate of PCC among the HCWs was 16.1% (n = 114/706) whereas the awareness rate of PCC among COVID-19-positive HCWs was 55.3% (n = 109/197). The prevalence of PCC among HCWs was 58.8% (n = 116). These changes include the self-reported symptoms of PCC which included headache (58.4%, n = 115), fatigue (58.8%, n = 116), and muscle pain (39.6%, n = 78). Similarly, 30% (n = 59) and 20.8% (n = 41) of the HCWs reported the loss of smell and loss of taste long after their COVID-19 infection, respectively. Some HCWs (42%, n = 83) believed that their work performance has been affected by their ongoing symptoms of PCC. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of PCC among the vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs (p > 0.05). Of the socio-demographic variables, age (older HCWs between 45–54 years; OR:1.7; 95% CI: 1.06, 10.59; p = 0.001) and location (Egypt; OR:14.57; 95% CI: 2.62, 26.76; p = 0.001) were more likely to have experienced PCC than other age groups and countries respectively. The study revealed a low prevalence of PCC among the surveyed HCWs. In addition, it observed the need for adequate medical and psychological support to HCWs with PCC and improved mass advocacy campaigns on PCC.
With over twelve months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its morbidity and mortality continue to be a critical health threat despite various instituted preventive and control efforts. ...Information on the multi-regional public perspective of the diseases is limited. Therefore, this study investigated public knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and South Asia (SA) regions of the world. In an online pretested questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey, respondents (n = 2738) were recruited using a convenience sampling technique and data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of respondents had bachelor's degrees or higher (91.1%) and were aged between 18 and 39 years (88%). Most of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge (73%, 15.4 ± 2.5), attitudes 76.8%, 7.1 ± 1.1, and perceptions (73.4%, 11±2.8). Participants with higher educational levels and scientific backgrounds were 1.71 times (95% CI: 1.44; 2.03; p < 0.001) more likely to have a better knowledge of COVID-19. Respondents from the SA region were significantly more likely (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.68; p < 0.001) to possess satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19. Meanwhile, respondents from the MENA region (OR: 7.81; 95% CI: 6.12, 9.97; p < 0.001) have better attitudes and are more optimistic about ending the pandemic than those from the SSA. Despite the satisfactory knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards the regional efforts observed, we emphasize continued adherence by the public to the health regulations and safety measures of countries in these regions. There is a need for the low and middle-income countries to improve awareness of COVID-19 preventive practices.
With over twelve months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its morbidity and mortality continue to be a critical health threat despite various instituted preventive and control efforts. ...Information on the multi-regional public perspective of the diseases is limited. Therefore, this study investigated public knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and South Asia (SA) regions of the world. In an online pretested questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey, respondents (n = 2738) were recruited using a convenience sampling technique and data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of respondents had bachelor’s degrees or higher (91.1%) and were aged between 18 and 39 years (88%). Most of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge (73%, 15.4 ± 2.5), attitudes 76.8%, 7.1 ± 1.1, and perceptions (73.4%, 11±2.8). Participants with higher educational levels and scientific backgrounds were 1.71 times (95% CI: 1.44; 2.03; p < 0.001) more likely to have a better knowledge of COVID-19. Respondents from the SA region were significantly more likely (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.68; p < 0.001) to possess satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19. Meanwhile, respondents from the MENA region (OR: 7.81; 95% CI: 6.12, 9.97; p < 0.001) have better attitudes and are more optimistic about ending the pandemic than those from the SSA. Despite the satisfactory knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards the regional efforts observed, we emphasize continued adherence by the public to the health regulations and safety measures of countries in these regions. There is a need for the low and middle-income countries to improve awareness of COVID-19 preventive practices.
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