COVID-19 Prevention Practices and Associated Factors among Diabetes and HIV/AIDS Clients in South-Wollo Zone, Ethiopia: A Health Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study

COVID 19 prevention practice of patients with known chronic illness in Ethiopia: A systemic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

There were different studies done and found a highly variable level of COVID 19 prevention practice; however, there was no summarized evidence on the prevention practice of chronic disease patients in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the pooled prevalence of COVID 19 prevention practice and associated factors among chronic disease patients in Ethiopia.

Method

Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive literature was searched in international databases. A weighted inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistics were computed to assess heterogeneity among studies. Funnel plot and Eggers test were done to assess publication bias. Review manager software was used to identify determinants of COVID 19 prevention practice.

Result

Overall, 437 articles were retrieved and finally 8 articles were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of good COVID 19 prevention practices was 44.02% (95%CI (35.98%-52.06%). Being rurally reside (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI (1.30-4.41)), having educational status of cannot read and write (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI (1.22-4.40)), and poor knowledge (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI (1.64-3.60)) positively associated with poor practice.

Conclusion

Good COVID 19 prevention practices of chronic disease patients in Ethiopia was low. Rural residence, educational status of cannot read and write and poor knowledge was positively associated with poor practice. Therefore, policymakers and program planners should target those high-risk groups in improving their awareness to enhance their practice specifically focusing on those who are rural reside and with low educational status.

COVID-19 preventive practice and associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

COVID-19 is a global health concern due to its rapid spread and impact on morbidity and mortality. Implementing preventive measures plays an essential role in curbing the spread of COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 preventive practice and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Study design

This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Methods

Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, EMBASE, African Journal Online (AJOL) and Science Direct search engines were used to identify relevant articles published up to early December 2021. The Joana Brigg's Institute (JBI) checklist was used for quality appraisal. A random-effect model was fitted to calculate the pooled estimates. Higgins I² statistics and Egger's test with funnel plots were analysed to check heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. Due to significant heterogeneity, subgroup analysis by region, study population, study design and publication year, as well as sensitivity analysis, were done to assess the source of heterogeneity.

Results

The pooled level of poor preventive practice for COVID-19 in Ethiopia was 51.60% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.30-62.90). Poor COVID-19 preventive practice declined from 61% in studies published in 2020 to 45% in 2021. Lack of knowledge about COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.61 [95% CI: 2.49-10.73]), a negative attitude towards COVID-19 management (AOR = 2.64 [95% CI: 1.82-3.82]), rural residence (AOR = 2.95 [95% CI: 2.12-4.12]), a low educational level (AOR = 2.93 [95% CI: 2.16-3.98]) and being female (AOR = 1.75 [95% CI: 1.27-2.40]) were significantly associated with a poor level of COVID-19 preventive practice in Ethiopia.

Conclusions

The level of poor COVID-19 preventive practice in Ethiopia was relatively high. Poor COVID-19 prevention practices were significantly correlated with inadequate COVID-19 knowledge, a negative attitude towards COVID-19 management, low educational attainment, living in a rural area and being female. Creating awareness and health education programmes targeting COVID-19 prevention should be strengthened, especially in the target populations identified in this study.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Associated Factors Among College Students in Dessie City, Northeastern Ethiopia

Background

The COVID-19 vaccine is regarded as an effective measure for reducing the pandemic’s impact. But, COVID-19 disease burden reduction efforts are being affected by the rising vaccine resistance.

Objective

To assess the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among college students in Dessie city, Northeastern Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among college students in Dessie town from July 1–20, 2021. The association between independent and dependent variables was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis using crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio. Variables having p values of less than 0.05 at the 95% confidence interval were regarded as potential determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Results

A total of 422 college students participated in the study with a response rate of 95.6%. More than half 226 (56.2%) of the participants had willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents who had history of chronic medical illness (AOR: 4.340, 95% CI: 1.166, 16.149), training on COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 4.755, 95% CI: 2.606, 6.674), history of regular vaccine uptake (AOR: 2.534, 95% CI: 1.412, 4.549), perception of COVID-19 severity (AOR: 4.109, 95% CI: 2.190, 7.710), perception that COVID-19 can be prevented by vaccine (AOR: 2.420, 95% CI: 1.160, 5.049), and development of herd immunity against COVID-19 vaccines (AOR: 2.566, 95% CI: 1.431, 4.599) were factors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Conclusion

The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among college students was low. The history of chronic medical illness, training on COVID-19 vaccine, history of vaccine uptake, perception that COVID-19 can be prevented by vaccine, perception of herd immunity development against COVID-19, and severity of COVID 19 infection were factors significantly associated with the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. Hence, it is necessary to promote COVID-19 vaccination among college students through health education and vaccine outreach.

Why Does COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Rate Remain Low Among Patients with Chronic Diseases? Evidences from Public Hospitals of Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Elders and patients with chronic diseases are more vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. In Ethiopia, these groups of people are given vaccination priorities amongst others. However, there is limited information on the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among patients with chronic diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among patients with chronic diseases visiting public hospitals in West Guji zone (Ethiopia).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Facility-based cross-sectional study was employed among 408 chronic disease patients visiting two public hospitals in Ethiopia from September to October 2021. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was computed to identify factors associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. Independent variables with p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significantly associated with the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine.

RESULTS

The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among patients with chronic diseases was 39.5% (95% CI: 35-44). Factors positively associated with the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine were age ≥40 years (AOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.53-5.28), urban residence (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.38-0.95), having upper respiratory tract infection (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03-2.8), previous COVID-19 infection (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.22-3.47), having health insurance (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.23-5.28), those not drinking alcohol (AOR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.24-3.06), those not chewing Khat (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.27-3.2), and having good knowledge (AOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.03-2.87) and positive attitude (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.26-3.33) towards the vaccine.

CONCLUSION

The overall proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is low among patients with chronic diseases. Therefore, to improve the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, the government and health professionals should provide continuous health education.