Nemat A, Sediqi MF, Elhadi YAM, Raufi N, Essar MY, Asady A. Self-reported adherence to preventive practices during the third wave of COVID-19 in Afghanistan.
SAGE Open Med 2022;
10:20503121221122399. [PMID:
36093422 PMCID:
PMC9459448 DOI:
10.1177/20503121221122399]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective:
The study objectives were aimed to highlight the areas where public awareness
is needed to enhance preventive practices among the public. Hence, to avoid
the spread of virus in public settings. In addition, the study has provided
compelling data and evidence on the coronavirus disease-2019 trend for
health policymakers to make strategic decisions.
Introduction:
The coronavirus disease-2019 is a highly contagious respiratory disease
caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2. The disease
has spread across the globe. In Afghanistan, thousands of confirmed cases
with hundreds of deaths have been reported. In addition, due to insufficient
healthcare workforce, insecurity, fragile healthcare infrastructure, low
coronavirus disease-2019 vaccination and low testing capacity, the true
nature of the pandemic is unlcear.
Method:
An online survey of the general population in Afghanistan was conducted from
April-May 2021. Convenience sampling technique was used to recruit the
respondents. Social media platforms were used (WhatsApp, Twitter and
Facebook Messenger) to disseminate the electronic survey instrument. Written
informed consent was taken from the participants before the filling
questionnaires. Data collection was guided through a self-administered
questionnaire developed by the researchers according to the World Health
Organization guidelines. The sample size was calculated using EPI software.
The inclusion criteria were being 18 years or older and having access to the
Internet to fill out the online questionnaire. IBM SPSS Statistics version
25.0 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequencies,
percentages) and bi-variable (chi-square) analyses were done. A p value of
<0.05 was considered significant at a 95% confidence interval.
Results:
From 1094 respondents, 78% were male. The majority of respondents were aged
⩽30 years and had an undergraduate education. Nearly 1 in 3 participants
were healthcare workers, and 70% lived in households with five or more
family members. Overall, 70% of the respondents reported good preventive
practices. The majority of the participants reported covering their mouth
and nose while coughing and sneezing and cleaning their hands regularly and
using alcohol. Meanwhile, 80% of the participants wore a mask when going
outside. Moreover, people with post-graduate education had a higher level of
preventive practices than those with an undergraduate education.
The results of logistic regression revealed participants residence in Kabul,
healthcare workers, family size less than 5, avoid meeting people outside,
gender, and avoiding 3Cs, were the significant determinants of adhering to
good preventive practices.
Conclusion:
Generally, the public in Afghanistan followed infection prevention rules.
However, certain areas require further improvement, such as observing social
distance and avoiding shaking hands when meeting others. Negligence of these
prevention practices can lead to an increase in infection transmission among
people. Public awareness should be continued to keep the people supportive
of the government policies.
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