Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey
Introduction: Handwashing is a low-cost, high-impact strategy for limiting the transmission of COVID-19. We assessed the level of compliance to handwashing and associated factors, among Ugandan residents, in the first two months of the outbreak in Uganda, to inform prevention measures. Metho...
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| Language: | English |
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African Field Epidemiology Network
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/1/15/full/ |
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| author | Richard Migisha Bob Omoda Amodan Lilian Bulage Elizabeth Katana Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo Robert Colebunders Alex Riolexus Ario Rhoda Kitti Wanyenze |
| author_facet | Richard Migisha Bob Omoda Amodan Lilian Bulage Elizabeth Katana Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo Robert Colebunders Alex Riolexus Ario Rhoda Kitti Wanyenze |
| author_sort | Richard Migisha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Handwashing is a low-cost, high-impact strategy for limiting the transmission of COVID-19. We assessed the level of compliance to handwashing and associated factors, among Ugandan residents, in the first two months of the outbreak in Uganda, to inform prevention measures.
Methods: We used data from the International Citizen Project, a cross-sectional nationwide online survey conducted between April 16th and April 30th 2020 using a self-administered questionnaire, to extract data on socio-demographics, and adherence to personal preventive measures. Handwashing compliance was defined as washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, after touching surfaces, or having been in a public place. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with non-compliance to handwashing.
Results: In total 1,726 participants responded with a mean age (SD) of 36 (±11) years; 59% were male. Of the 1,726 participants,1,662 (96%) complied to handwashing. Individuals who stayed in huts/shacks or who were homeless (aOR=6.1; 95%CI: 2.0–18), and those who had not heard about COVID-19 (aOR=13; 95%CI: 2.4–72) were more likely to be non-compliant. Individuals with a high level of satisfaction with handwashing as an appropriate COVID-19 preventive measure were less likely to be non-compliant (aOR=0.26; 95%CI: 0.15–0.45).
Conclusion: Compliance to handwashing was very high in the first two months of the COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda. We recommend continued risk communication, public education, and availing handwashing facilities, especially targeting individuals with poor housing to sustain the high compliance to handwashing so as to improve epidemic control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-beb8a53da94f4c8ab6f76c8e97c2f493 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2664-2824 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | African Field Epidemiology Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-beb8a53da94f4c8ab6f76c8e97c2f4932025-08-20T02:29:43ZengAfrican Field Epidemiology NetworkJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health2664-28242022-11-0154https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph.supp.2022.5.4.04.15Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional surveyRichard Migisha0Bob Omoda Amodan1Lilian Bulage2Elizabeth Katana3Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo4Robert Colebunders5Alex Riolexus Ario6Rhoda Kitti Wanyenze7Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaUganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaUganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaUganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaGlobal Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, 2610 Antwerp, BelgiumGlobal Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, 2610 Antwerp, BelgiumUganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda; Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaSchool of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaIntroduction: Handwashing is a low-cost, high-impact strategy for limiting the transmission of COVID-19. We assessed the level of compliance to handwashing and associated factors, among Ugandan residents, in the first two months of the outbreak in Uganda, to inform prevention measures. Methods: We used data from the International Citizen Project, a cross-sectional nationwide online survey conducted between April 16th and April 30th 2020 using a self-administered questionnaire, to extract data on socio-demographics, and adherence to personal preventive measures. Handwashing compliance was defined as washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, after touching surfaces, or having been in a public place. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with non-compliance to handwashing. Results: In total 1,726 participants responded with a mean age (SD) of 36 (±11) years; 59% were male. Of the 1,726 participants,1,662 (96%) complied to handwashing. Individuals who stayed in huts/shacks or who were homeless (aOR=6.1; 95%CI: 2.0–18), and those who had not heard about COVID-19 (aOR=13; 95%CI: 2.4–72) were more likely to be non-compliant. Individuals with a high level of satisfaction with handwashing as an appropriate COVID-19 preventive measure were less likely to be non-compliant (aOR=0.26; 95%CI: 0.15–0.45). Conclusion: Compliance to handwashing was very high in the first two months of the COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda. We recommend continued risk communication, public education, and availing handwashing facilities, especially targeting individuals with poor housing to sustain the high compliance to handwashing so as to improve epidemic control.https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/1/15/full/covid-19sars-cov-2preventionadherencehand washingcomplianceuganda |
| spellingShingle | Richard Migisha Bob Omoda Amodan Lilian Bulage Elizabeth Katana Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo Robert Colebunders Alex Riolexus Ario Rhoda Kitti Wanyenze Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health covid-19 sars-cov-2 prevention adherence hand washing compliance uganda |
| title | Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | Compliance to handwashing during the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | compliance to handwashing during the early phase of covid 19 epidemic in uganda a nationwide cross sectional survey |
| topic | covid-19 sars-cov-2 prevention adherence hand washing compliance uganda |
| url | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/1/15/full/ |
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