Determinants of COVID-19-related knowledge and preventive behaviours among students in reopened secondary schools: cross-sectional study

Abstract

PurposeIn Ethiopia, more than 26 million students have been out of the classroom for nearly 9 months. On 18 September, the Ethiopian Minister of Health advised the Parliament the possibility of reopening schools provided certain conditions were met. Schools are currently reopening in the country for the first time since March 2020.ObjectiveThis study assessed the knowledge and preventive health behaviours toward COVID-19 and associated factors among secondary school students.Design, setting, participants and outcome measuresAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2020 in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 370 secondary school students were included. Bivariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression model were fitted to identify the predictors of knowledge about COVID-19. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were done to identify factors associated with preventive behaviour. A p<0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.ResultsOnly one-fourth (23.5%, 95% CI 19.5% to 28.1%) of the participants had a good knowledge about COVID-19. The mean score of preventive behaviour was 22.8±SD 6.2. Marital status, religion, father education, living arrangement and sources of information were significantly associated with knowledge about COVID-19. Being female and using health professionals as source of information increased the engagement in preventive behaviours. On the other hand, student whose father employed in non-governmental organisation and other jobs had decreased engagement in preventive health behaviours.ConclusionSignificant number of the students had inadequate knowledge about COVID-19 and poorly engaged in COVID-19 preventive behaviour. Thus, it is suggested to include and disseminate about COVID-19 in related academic sessions, using school clubs and minimedias. The sources of COVID-19-related information need to strengthen the dissemination of tailored, credible and timely message to enhance the knowledge and engagement of the students in preventive behaviours.

Knowledge, attitude, prevention practice, and associated factors toward COVID-19 among preparatory school students in Southwest Ethiopia, 2021

“…This may be due to a difference in source population and difference in sample size as such factors may influence findings. Whereas, the result of this study is higher as compared with a study conducted at Gondar city secondary school students [18], on Bangladesh residents, a study conducted among undergraduate students at Debre Birhan University, and a study conducted on quarantined individuals in Tigray which showed that 23.5%, 48.3%, 73.8%, and 42.9% of the participants had accurate knowledge towards COVID-19 respectively [19][20][21]. It is also higher as compared with a study done on Jimma University medical center visitors which showed that 41.3% of the participants had a high knowledge level towards COVID-19 [22].…”

Public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines in Africa: a systematic review

“…The articles included are from the following authors: Abebe et al [26] ; Acheampong et al [28] ; Adebisi et al [17]; Adeniyi et al [30] ; Aemro et al [31] ; Agyekum et al [32]; Angelo et al [34] ; Amuzie et al [33] ; Bongomin et al [18] ; Dinga et al [27] ; Ditekema et al [19] ; Echoru et al [20] ; El Kefi et al [35] ; El Sokkary et al [39] ; Elhadi et al [21] ; Fares et al [22] ; Handebo et al [23]; Kanyike et al [29]; Mose et al [24] ; Oduwole et al ; Omar et al [37] ; Oyekale et al [38] ; Saied et al [25]. Individual characteristics of the included studies are presented in tables 1, 2, and 3.…”

COVID-19 Preventive Practices and their Relation to Knowledge, Attitude, and Risk Perception: Results of a Telephone Survey in Ethiopia

“…The reported finding on correct responses to most of the knowledge questions was expected because the survey was conducted at the very peak stage of the pandemic worldwide (early April 2020). A recent study conducted in northern Ethiopia (Gondar) based on 370 secondary school students reported that only a quarter (23.5 percent, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = [19.5, 28.1]) of the participants had good knowledge of COVID-19 (Handebo et al 2021). Comparable studies conducted in China and other South Asian countries at the peak of the pandemic report a similarly higher knowledge level among the public (G. Huynh et al 2020;Zhong et al 2020).…”

“…For instance, some of them (e.g., Jemal et al 2020; Kebede et al 2020; Tadesse et al 2020) have drawn samples from health facilities and focused on health professionals. Other studies (e.g., Addis et al 2020; Feyisa 2021; Handebo et al 2021) are population-based but had a small sample size from a particular region or town. Although such assessments are vital and provide useful insights into outbreaks of a pandemic such as COVID-19, these studies may be less useful for policy making.…”