Abstract

Background: Despite the implementation of various strategies such as the declaration of COVID-19 emergency state, staying at home, lockdown, and massive protective equipment distribution, still COVID-19 is increasing alarmingly. Therefore, the study is aimed to assess the community’s perception of COVID-19 and its associated factors in Gondar town, northwest, Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 635 Gondar administrative town residents, from April 20 to April 27, 2020. Study participants were selected using a cluster sampling technique.  Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Epi-Data version 4.6, and STATA 14 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively.  Logistic regressions (Bivariable and multivariable) were performed to identify statistically significant variables at p < 0.05.

Results: of 635 study participants, 623 have completed the study with a 98.1% response rate. The mean age of participants was 36.32 years (SD ±13.24). The overall magnitude of the community’s misconception about COVID-19 stood at 56.9 % (349). Age and religion showed negative association with misconceptions. To be specific, being in age group of 27-33 (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.86) and being a Muslim (AOR: 0.51, 95% CI:  0.34, 0.78) were negatively associated with misconception of COVID-19. Whereas, occupation and awareness showed positive associations with the misconception. To be specific, having unemployed occupational status (AOR= 1.79, 95% CI:  1.14, 2.82) and being unaware of the number of cases of COVID-19 (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI:  1.05, 2.62) were positively associated with community’s misconception on COVID-19.

Conclusion: The magnitude of community’s misconception about COVID-19 among Gondar town residents was high. Age, religion, unemployment, and unawareness about the number of COVID-19 cases were significant factors of misconception about COVID-19. Thus, stakeholders ought to build community perceptions about COVID 19. To resolve misinformation about COVID-19; accurate, and relevant information should be provided to the community using appropriate communication media.

Keywords: Misconception, COVID-19, Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia