Social distancing practice and associated factors in response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Hawassa City, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional study

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease, caused by a coronavirus. The disease disrupts health systems and results in social, political, and economic crises. One of the best prevention methods for COVID-19 is social distancing. However, there are limited studies that quantify individual social distancing practice and the associated factors across the globe and in particular in Sidama National Regional State regarding COVID-19. Therefore, this study assessed social distancing practices and associated factors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Hawassa City, Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia,2021.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 853 Households from August to September 2021. A multistage stratified sampling method was utilized. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with individual-based social distancing practice. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to assess the presence and strength of associations.

Results: In this study, 57.2% [95% CI: (53.7%, 60.5%)] of the study participants have good social distancing practices for the prevention of COVID-19. Being completion of primary [AOR=2.01 (95% CI:1.25-3.25)], Secondary [AOR=1.65 (95% CI:1.09-2.49)] and College and above educational level [AOR=2.00 (95% CI:1.28-3.13)], Poor knowledge [AOR=0.59 (95% CI:0.44-0.81)], high perceived susceptibility [AOR=1.56 (95%CI: 1.12-2.18)] and low perceived self-efficacy [AOR=0.49 (95%CI: 0.31-0.78)] were significantly associated with good social distancing practice.

Conclusion: Individual-based social distancing practice for the COVID-19 pandemic among the community was low. The knowledge, risk perception, educational status, and self-efficacy of participants were identified to be the major factors for the observed low practice. Therefore, the city health department should focus on providing health education to lift the social distancing practices of the communities.