Background

The endeavor to tackle the spread of COVID-19 effectively remains futile without the right grasp of perceptions and beliefs presiding in the community. Therefore, this study aimed to assess myths, beliefs, perceptions, and information gaps about COVID-19 in Ethiopia.

Methods

An internet-based survey was conducted in Ethiopia from April 22 to May 04, 2020. The survey link was promoted through emails, social media, and the Jimma University website. Perceptions about COVID-19 have considered the World Health Organization (WHO) resources and local beliefs. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 20.0. Classifications and lists of factors for each thematic perception of facilitators, inhibitors, and information needs were generated. Explanatory factor analysis (EFA) was executed to assist categorizations. Standardized mean scores of the categories were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-tests. A significant difference was claimed at p-value <0.05.

Results

A total of 929 responses were gathered during the study period. The EFA generated two main categories of perceived facilitators of COVID-19 spread: behavioral non-adherence (55.9%) and lack of enablers (86.5%). Behavioral non-adherence was illustrated by fear of stigma (62.9%), not seeking care (59.3%), and hugging and shaking (44.8%). Perceived lack of enablers of precautionary measures includes staying home impossible due to economic challenges (92.4%), overcrowding (87.6%), and inaccessible face masks (81.6%) and hand sanitizers (79.1%). Perceived inhibitors were categorized into three factors: two misperceived, myths (31.6%) and false assurances (32.9%), and one correctly identified; engagement in standard precautions (17.1%). Myths about protection from the virus involve perceived religiosity and effectiveness of selected food items, hot weather, traditional medicine, and alcohol drinking, ranging from 15.1% to 54.7%. False assurances include people’s perception that they were living far away from areas where COVID-19 was rampant (36.9%), and no locally reported cases were present (29.5%). There were tremendous information needs reported about COVID-19 concerning protection methods (62.6%), illness behavior and treatment (59.5%), and quality information, including responses to key unanswered questions such as the origin of the virus (2.4%). Health workers were perceived as the most at-risk group (83.3%). The children, adolescents, youths were marked at low to moderate (45.1%-62.2%) risk of COVID-19. Regional, township, and access to communication showed significant variations in myths, false assurances, and information needs (p <0.05).

Conclusions

Considering young population as being at low risk of COVID-19 would be challenging to the control efforts, and needs special attention. Risk communication and community engagement efforts should consider regional and township variations of myths and false assurances. It should also need to satisfy information needs, design local initiatives that enhance community ownership of the control of the virus, and thereby support engagement in standard precautionary measures. All forms of media should be properly used and regulated to disseminate credible information while filtering out myths and falsehoods.

中文翻译：

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关于埃塞俄比亚 COVID-19 的神话、信念和看法：需要解决信息差距并开展抗击工作

 背景

如果不能正确把握社区的观念和信仰，有效应对 COVID-19 传播的努力仍然是徒劳的。因此，本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚有关 COVID-19 的神话、信仰、看法和信息差距。

 方法

2020年4月22日至5月4日在埃塞俄比亚进行了一项互联网调查。调查链接通过电子邮件、社交媒体和季马大学网站进行推广。对 COVID-19 的看法考虑了世界卫生组织 (WHO) 的资源和当地信仰。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）软件20.0版对数据进行分析。生成了针对促进因素、抑制因素和信息需求的每个主题感知的因素的分类和列表。执行解释性因素分析（EFA）以协助分类。使用方差分析 (ANOVA) 和 t 检验比较各类别的标准化平均分。声称 p 值 <0.05 存在显着差异。

 结果

研究期间总共收集了 929 份回复。 EFA 产生了两大类被认为是 COVID-19 传播促进因素：行为不遵守 (55.9%) 和缺乏促进因素 (86.5%)。行为不依从表现为害怕耻辱（62.9%）、不寻求护理（59.3%）以及拥抱和摇晃（44.8%）。认为缺乏预防措施的推动因素包括由于经济挑战（92.4％）、过度拥挤（87.6％）以及无法获得口罩（81.6％）和洗手液（79.1％）而无法呆在家里。感知的抑制因素分为三个因素：两个是错误感知、神话（31.6%）和虚假保证（32.9%），一个是正确识别的；参与标准预防措施（17.1%）。关于预防病毒的神话涉及宗教信仰和所选食品的有效性、炎热的天气、传统医学和饮酒，比例从 15.1% 到 54.7% 不等。虚假保证包括人们认为自己居住的地方远离 COVID-19 猖獗的地区 (36.9%)，并且当地不存在报告的病例 (29.5%)。据报告，有关 COVID-19 的信息需求量巨大，涉及保护方法 (62.6%)、疾病行为和治疗 (59.5%) 以及质量信息，包括对病毒起源等关键未解答问题的答复 (2.4%)。卫生工作者被认为是风险最大的群体（83.3%）。儿童、青少年和青少年被标记为低至中度 (45.1%-62.2%) 的 COVID-19 风险。地区、乡镇和通讯渠道在神话、虚假保证和信息需求方面表现出显着差异 (p <0.05)。

 结论

将年轻人视为感染 COVID-19 的低风险人群将对控制工作构成挑战，需要特别关注。风险沟通和社区参与工作应考虑神话和虚假保证的区域和乡镇差异。它还需要满足信息需求，设计加强社区对病毒控制的所有权的当地举措，从而支持参与标准预防措施。所有形式的媒体都应得到适当使用和监管，以传播可信信息，同时过滤谣言和谎言。