December 2020 Vol. 8 No.12

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Original Research Article

Public Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Conflict Affected Area of the Northwest Region of Cameroon

Elvis Achondou Akomoneh^1*, Marcelus Utokoro Ajonina², Irene Ekoti Ajonina¹, Sharon Dione Akomoneh³, Lundi-Anne Omam Ngo Bibaa⁴

¹Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, Cameroon
²Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Bamenda
³Access Care Foundation, Cameroon
⁴Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK

*Corresponding Author's Email: eakomoneh@yahoo.com

Received: 26 November 2020  I  Accepted: 18 December 2020  I  Published: 24 December 2020  I  Article ID: MRJMMS-20-200
Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

The outbreak of corona virus pandemic in Wuhan, China since December 2019 has been the major public health concern. With the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment for the disease, current control measures are directed towards preventive measures to lessen disease burden and to curb the spread of the virus. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 prevention among inhabitants of Bamenda municipality. A community-based cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 450 inhabitants living in Bamenda municipality was conducted between August 10th to 30th 2020 using questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25.0 and were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. The level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 prevention among the 450 study participants were 80.0%, 28.4% and 51.6%, respectively. Adequate knowledge of COVID-19 was significantly higher in Christians (82.4%) when compared to Muslims (50.0%). Students (85.9%) and workers in the public service (84.2%) were 3.9 times (OR = 3.94,95% CI: 1.62-9.58) and 3.5 times (OR = 3.45,95% CI: 1.42-8.41), respectively more knowledgeable when compared to farmers 60.7%). Positive attitude was 3.2 times (OR =3.23,95% CI: 1.63-6.37) and 1.2 times (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.59-2.50) higher in tertiary level of education and secondary level of education respondents, respectively when compared to their primary level of education counterparts. Only 32.4% practiced social distancing. Older (>50 years) and middle age persons (30-49 years) were 2.4 times (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.20-4.59) and 1.7 times (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.13-2.57) respectively, more likely to adequately practice COVID-19 preventive measures than younger age group respondents. Our study recorded good level of knowledge and practice on COVID-19 prevention with low attitude among participants. However, community-based sensitization campaigns are necessary to ensure optimistic attitudes and to improve on practice

Keywords: Attitude, Bamenda, Conflict affected, COVID-19, Knowledge, Practice