Social work responses and household-level determinants of coronavirus preparedness in rural Ethiopia

Abstract

Background The novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) arisen in Ethiopia in early March at its capital city (Addis Ababa) and is now spreading to different administrative regions of the country. This study aimed to assess the attentiveness of the rural community to COVID 19, social work response, and major factors that affect rural community preparedness and response to COVID 19 in Ethiopia. Methods Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data collected from a total of 190 sample respondents. Econometric model particularly a probit model was used to identify these major factors that affect rural households’ preparedness for the pandemic. Results Rural households recognize little about COVID 19 and in response, a few community groups, which consist of youth and university students, religious leaders, and elders were engaged to reduce the consequence of COVID 19. Results from the probit model employed indicate that literacy status (household head and family member), gender, age, and economical status of the households; extension information on COVID 19, cash income from non/off-farm activities, participation in community groups, and ownership of mobile phone with a household all influence households preparedness. The main barriers include a lack of information on COVID 19 and financial constraints. Conclusions Commitment to preparedness and response to COVID 19 by the rural community increases with enhancing proper information dissemination system and applicable support. Thus, much more attention needs to be given by a government and other stakeholders to reduce the venerability of the rural community in Ethiopia.

Features associated with SARS-COV-2 positivity among people presenting with acute respiratory tract infections to public Hospitals in Harari region, Ethiopia

“… 22 , 24 , 25 In fact, due to aging and the risk of developing comorbidities, the older (> 60 years) population may have hampered immunity that exposes them to SARS-COV-2 infection. According to the survey conducted in Ethiopia, the older population had a 31% lesser probability of engagement in COVID-19 preparedness and response, 26 and this can be due to distinct psychosocial support they need during this critical period for their lives. 27 Therefore, because of their less involvement in the preparedness and response against COVID-19 and a distinct psychosocial need, older population might not fully adhere to SARS-COV-2 containing ways, such as wearing masks, maintaining the physical distance to optimum, frequent hand washing, and practicing safe contact with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 cases.…”

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

“…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.…”