Implementation of Personal Protective Measures by The public during COVID-19 Pandemic in Damietta Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background:In Egypt, the arrival of COVID-19 pandemic triggered national preparedness and integrated response including public commitment to personal protective measures [PPM]. The aim of the work: To investigate the public implementation of PPM in Damietta Governorate – Egypt during COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on web-based survey. A total of 500 adult participants [59% female: 18–72 years] were selected between April 10 and July 15, 2020, from Damietta, Egypt to complete a questionnaire. Participants were asked about their sources of knowledge and to indicate how often they implemented PPM recommended by World Health Organization [WHO] including hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene & etiquette, social distancing, and self-isolation. Results: The best practices were frequent hand washing [38.2%] followed by covering nose & mouth [23.6%] while avoiding hand greeting, self-isolation, social distancing and wearing face mask ranged only from 10%–15%. In total, only 11.6% reported accepted implementation of all PPM representing the overall prevalence. Reliable sources of information were represented by 13%–43.5% while 66% depended on social media. Participants with older age, female, married, university education or higher, urban residents, nonsmokers and working in health field were more likely to report accepted implementation of overall PPM. Conclusion: The protective measures implemented by ordinary citizens in Damietta are insufficient and further public awareness activities are required.

Keywords

• implementation
• personal protective measures
• covid-19
• pandemic
• damietta