RESUMO
Background: Understanding of public awareness on public health issues is very crucial, including the current health crisis of COVID-19. This research aimed to examine the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Students towards COVID-19. Design and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among secondary school students in grades 10-12. Proportional sample allocation was used in 16 randomly selected schools. Moreover, the schools were recruited by using a systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic data and questions of the knowledge, attitude and practice were collected by interview. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the associated factors and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 357 participants the level of good knowledge, positive attitude, and optimal practice were 65.2%, 66.7% and 89.4% respectively. Regression analyses showed that being in the adolescent age group (15-16 years old), living with >5 family size, and family with a good income effectively predicted knowledge level. Attitudes towards COVID-19, male students were pessimistic about COVID-19 prevention and control measures as opposed to their female counterparts [aOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.21-0.71). Students with awareness of the virus demonstrated greater (two-fold) odds of a positive attitude as opposed to their less-conscious counterparts. The urban-area male students were demonstrated a higher (three-fold) odds of good practice level towards COVID-19 prevention and control measures as opposed to their rural-area female counterparts. Conclusion: A good knowledge level denoted a positive attitude despite the lack of information. Meanwhile, good preventive measure practices and behaviours reflected high levels.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: In suspected trachoma-endemic areas of Yemen, we sought to determine the prevalence of the sign trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years, and the potential individual and household risk factors for TF in that age group. We also sought to determine the prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged ≥15 years. METHODS: We conducted a cluster-sampled survey in each of 42 evaluation units (EUs) comprising 166 rural districts of nine Governorates (Adh Dhale'a, Al Hodeihah, Al Jawf, Hadramoot, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahj, Ma'rib, Taiz) using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project systems and methodologies. Fieldwork was undertaken from September 2013 to March 2015. Risk factors for TF in children aged 1-9 years were evaluated using multilevel random effects logistic regression. RESULTS: The TF prevalence in children aged 1-9 years was ≥10% in two EUs (7 districts) and 5-9.9% in six EUs (24 districts). In adults aged ≥15 years, trichiasis prevalence was ≥0.2% in five EUs (19 districts). Being older (within the 1-9-year age bracket), being male, living in a household with higher numbers of children, and living in a household that reported the use of open defecation, were each independently associated with higher odds of TF. CONCLUSIONS: These surveys provided baseline data to enable planning for trachoma elimination. The World Health Organization Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 stands ready to assist Yemen once security considerations permit further surveys and implementation of control activities.
