Travelers’ knowledge, attitude, practice towards COVID-19 and as sociated factors at the bus station of Mizan-Aman town, southwest Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract

Background: Overcrowded situations; such as mass transport, can highly expose people to the novel coronavirus infection unless strictly adhered to preventive measures recommended by the health authorities. This study aimed to assess traveler’s knowledge, attitude, practices towards COVID-19, and associated factors at the bus station of Mizan-Aman town, southwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among travelers who were found at the bus station of Mizan-Aman town from January 1-15, 2021. A consecutive sampling method was employed to collect data from travelers. Knowledge and attitude data were collected by interviewer-administered questioner, whereas the face-mask wearing practice was assessed by observation.

Result: A total of 406 travelers were interviewed with a 96.2% response rate. All the travelers had heard about COVID-19. 216(53.2%) had good knowledge, 208(51.2%) had a positive attitude while only 45(11.1%) had worn face-mask. Poor knowledge was significantly associated with illiterates (AOR=7.5, CI: 3.0 19.1), primary school (AOR=6.6, CI: 3.0-14.8), and urban residents (AOR=0.21, CI: 0.12-0.37). The negative attitude was significantly associated with a good attitude (AOR=0.32, CI: 0.21-0.48), and not wearing a face-mask was significantly associated with marital status (AOR=3.5, CI: 1.43- 8.81).

Conclusion: All travelers had awareness about COVID-19. More than half had good knowledge and a positive attitude while very few had a good practice. Level of education and residence were found determinants of the level of knowledge while the level of knowledge itself was a significant predictor of the level of attitude. Face-mask wearing practice was associated with marital status.

Keywords: Attitude, Bus station, COVID-19, Knowledge, Mizan-Aman town, Practice, Traveler, Southwest Ethiopia