Worku, A. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2020

Risk perceptions and preventive practices of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in public hospitals in Ethiopia

Healthcare professionals are at higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus due to their work exposure in the healthcare settings. Practicing appropriate preventive measures to control COVID-19 infection is one of the most important interventions that healthcare workers are expected to use. The aim of this study was to assess the level of risk perception and practices of preventive measures of COVID-19 among health workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 9th to 26th June 2020 among healthcare professionals working at six public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, and mean were used to summarize the data. A binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with risk perception about COVID-19. A total of 1,134 participants were surveyed. Wearing facemask (93%), hand washing for at least 20 seconds (93%), covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing (91%), and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth (91%) were the commonly self-reported preventive practices. About 88% perceived that they were worried about the risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, and majority (91%) worried about the risk of infection to their family. The mean score of overall fear and worry of COVID-19 was 2.37 on a scale of 1 to 3. Respondents who ever provided clinical care to COVID-19 patients were more likely to report fear and worry (adjusted OR=1.34, 95% CI:1.02-1.91), however those who ever participated in Ebola or SARS outbreaks were less likely to report fear and worry due to COVID-19 crisis (adjusted OR=0.66, 95% CI:0.48-0.90). This study has revealed widespread practices of preventive measures and the highest perceived risk of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. Therefore, an effective risk communication intervention should be implemented to ensure the maintenance of appropriate practices during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Prevalence and determinants of neonatal danger signs in northwest Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis

BackgroundThere is association between neonatal danger signs and neonatal deaths. Hence, understanding the factors associated with the occurrence of neonatal danger signs help reduce the stagnating neonatal mortality in countries like Ethiopia.\n\nMethodA cross sectional community and facility linked study was conducted in 39 kebeles in Amhara region, North Gondar Zone of Ethiopia from March 3-18, 2016. A representative sample of 1,150 mother-newborn pairs were included in the study. Percentage was used to calculate the prevalence. Multilevel analysis was used to identify individual and kebele level characteristics associated with the occurrence of neonatal danger signs.\n\nResultThe result showed that around a quarter, 286 (24.9%), of the newborns experienced one or more danger signs during the neonatal period. Significant differences were found between groups/kebeles in the occurrence of danger signs. At individual level, having low birth weight (AOR= 0.65; 95% CI: 0.48-0.88) and maternal danger signs during pregnancy and delivery (AOR= 1.93; 95% CI: 1.41-2.65) were found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of neonatal danger signs. At group/kebele level, antenatal care coverage (AOR= 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13-0.93) and year of health extension workers experience (AOR= 0.91; 95 % CI: 0.84-0.99) were significantly associated with the occurrence of neonatal danger signs.\n\nConclusionThe prevalence of neonatal danger signs is high. There are individual and kebele level characteristics associated with occurrence of danger signs in newborns. Expanding maternal health services and strengthening the health extension program is critical.

epidemiology↗