Knowledge, practice and associated factors towards the prevention of COVID-19 among high-risk groups: A cross-sectional study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable virus that continues to disrupt livelihoods, particularly those of low-income segments of society, around the world. In Ethiopia, more specifically in the capital city of Addis Ababa, a sudden increase in the number of confirmed positive cases in high-risk groups of the community has been observed over the last few weeks of the first case. Therefore, this study aims to assess knowledge, practice and associated factors that can contribute to the prevention of COVID-19 among high-risk groups in Addis Ababa. METHODS: A cross-sectional in person survey (n = 6007) was conducted from 14-30 April, 2020 following a prioritization within high-risk groups in Addis Ababa. The study area targeted bus stations, public transport drivers, air transport infrastructure, health facilities, public and private pharmacies, hotels, government-owned and private banks, telecom centers, trade centers, orphanages, elderly centers, prison, prisons and selected slum areas where the people live in a crowded areas. A questionnaire comprised of four sections (demographics, knowledge, practice and reported symptoms) was used for data collection. The outcomes (knowledge on the transmission and prevention of COVID-19 and practice) were measured using four items. A multi variable logistic regression was applied with adjustment for potential confounding. RESULTS: About half (48%, 95% CI: 46-49) of the study participants had poor knowledge on the transmission mode of COVID-19 whereas six out of ten (60%, 95% CI: 58-61) had good knowledge on prevention methods for COVID-19. The practice of preventive measures towards COVID-19 was found to be low (49%, 95% CI: 48-50). Factors that influence knowledge on COVID-19 transmission mechanisms were female gender, older age, occupation (health care and grocery worker), lower income and the use of the 8335 free call centre. Older age, occupation (being a health worker), middle income, experience of respiratory illness and religion were significantly associated with being knowledgeable about the prevention methods for COVID-19. The study found that occupation, religion, income, knowledge on the transmission and prevention of COVID-19 were associated with the practice of precautionary measures towards COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted that there was moderate knowledge about transmission modes and prevention mechanisms. Similarly, there was moderate practice of measures that contribute towards the prevention of COVID-19 among these priority and high-risk communities of Addis Ababa. There is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in terms of transmission mode and prevention methods of COVID-19 to improve prevention practices and control the spread of COVID-19. Use of female public figures and religious leaders could support the effort towards the increase in awareness.

Food Hygiene Practices and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers Working in Food Establishments in the Bole Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Consumers' health would be at risk unless food preparation and handling hygiene is ensured by food establishments. Literature indicates that poor food handling and sanitation practices are more common among food handlers in developing countries resulting in food-borne illness. Hence, food handlers can play a significant role in ensuring food hygiene. To this end, the paper aims to assess the level of food hygiene practices and its associated factors of food handlers working in food establishments in Bole sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Through across-sectional study design, a total of 394 food handlers selected randomly from food establishments have participated in the study. The data were collected between July and December 2017, through interview and observation. Percentage, cross tabulations, and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The findings show that among 394 study subjects only 27.4% (i.e., 108 food handlers), were found to have good food hygiene practices. In other words, majority of food handlers observed were poor in maintaining food hygiene. Food hygiene practices were highly influenced by level score of favorable attitude (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.93, 7.87), extensive knowledge towards food hygiene (AOR= 3.33, 95% CI= 1.93, 5.76) and availability of water storage equipment at food establishments (AOR= 2.67, 95% CI= 1.38, 5.15). CONCLUSION: Food handlers had poor food hygiene practices in the study area. Shortages of a continuous water supply at food establishments, poor knowledge, and unfavorable attitude of food handlers towards food hygiene practice were all contributing factors associated with poor food hygiene practice. However, these can be improved through health education programs and environmental health services, such as periodic inspections, effective enforcement of food safety regulations, and enhancing the capacity of food hygiene regulators.

Socio-cultural Beliefs and Practices Influencing Institutional Delivery Service Utilization in Three Communities of Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of socio-cultural factors on institutional birth is not sufficiently documented in Ethiopia. Thus, this study explores socio-cultural beliefs and practices during childbirth and its influences on the utilization of institutional delivery services. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in three regions of Ethiopia through eight focus group discussions (with women) and thirty in-depth interviews with key informants which included health workers, community volunteers, and leaders. The data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: The study identified six overarching socio-cultural factors influencing institutional birth in the study communities. The high preference for traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and home as it is intergenerational culture and suitable for privacy are among the factors. Correspondingly, culturally unacceptable birth practices at health facilities (such as birth position, physical assessment, delivery coach) and inconvenience of health facility setting to practice traditional birth rituals such as newborn welcoming ceremony made women avoid health facility birth. On the other hand, misperceptions and worries on medical interventions such as episiotomy, combined with mistreatment from health workers, and lack of parent engagement in delivery process discouraged women from seeking institutional birth. The provision of delivery service by male health workers was cited as a social taboo and against communities' belief system which prohibited women from giving birth at a health facility. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple socio-cultural factors and perceptions were generally affected utilization of institutional birth in study communities. Hence, culturally competent interventions through education, re-orientation, and adaptation of beneficial norms combined with women friendly care are essential to promote health facility birth.