COVID-19 Prevention Practices and Associated Factors Among Farmers in Peri-Urban Areas of Northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Leykun Berhanu,1 Gete Berihun,1 Zebader Walle,2 Daniel Teshome,3 Adinew Gizeyatu,1 Masresha Abebe,1 Seada Hassen,1 Ayechew Ademas,1 Birhanu Wagaye,4 Metadel Adane1 1Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia; 2Department of Social and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 3Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia; 4Department of Public Health Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Leykun Berhanu Email [email protected]: COVID-19 is a global health threat due to its rapid spread and ability to kill millions of people. The majority of pandemic-fighting approaches rely on prevention activities, which can be influenced by a variety of factors. Farmers are more vulnerable to COVID-19, so evaluating existing prevention practices and associated factors is critical to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: To assess COVID-19 prevention practices and associated factors among farmers in peri-urban areas of Northeastern Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 409 selected farmers. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews and on-the-spot-observational checklist. Data were analyzed using bivariable logistic regression model at 95% CI (confidence interval). During the bivariable analysis (crude odds ratio [COR]), varibales having a p-value of less than 0.250 were included into the multivariable analysis (adjsuted odds ratio [AOR]). Factors associated with COVID-19 preventive practices were determined using a multivariable analysis at a p-value of 0.050.Results: Of 409 participants, 206 (63.6%), 157 (38.4%), and 117 (28.6%) of them had satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude, and good prevention practices about COVID-19, respectively. Age of the farmers with greater than or equal to 45 years (AOR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7– 6.1), educational status of secondary school and above (AOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4– 6.6), and income level of having greater than or equal to 2,001.00 Ethiopian birr (ETB) (AOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1– 3.4) were all found to be significantly associated with the COVID-19 prevention practices.Conclusion: Even though the majority of farmers had satisfactory knowledge, a considerable proportion of them had a negative attitude and poor COVID-19 prevention practices. Age, educational status, and income level are factors associated with COVID-19 prevention practices. Hence, health education should be given to improve the farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices to minimize the risk of COVID-19 among farmers in semi-urban areas of northestern Ethiopia.Keywords: COVID-19, Dawa Chefa District, Peri-urban Areas, Farmers, Northeast Ethiopia

Keywords

• covid-19
• dawa chefa district
• peri-urban
• farmers
• northeast ethiopia.