Barrier Gestures Regarding Covid-19: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of the Population of the Bobozo Health District in Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo ()
1. Introduction
Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) as confirmed cases approached 200,000 patients and more than 8,000 deaths were expected to be recorded in more than 160 countries [1]. After the initial description in Wuhan (China), Italy was the first affected region in Europe and the impact was immense [2].
The virus spread very quickly so that 2 weeks after the diagnosis of the first cases, 1000 patients tested positive. A week later, the number of positive cases exceeded 4600, reaching more than 30,000 patients and 2500 deaths on March 18, 2020 [1]-[3].
When Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020, a total of 47 confirmed cases of Covid-19 including 28 imported cases (60%), with no deaths, were reported in 9 countries including the Republic Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which counted already a case recorded in its capital, Kinshasa [4].
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impose a heavy burden on people around the world. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has also been affected [5].
The objective of this work was to evaluate both the level of knowledge of the population about Covid-19 and the application of barrier gestures in the Health District of Bobozo in Kananga in the Kasaï Central Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2. Methodology
2.1. Study Framework
Our study took place in the Kasai Central Province, precisely in the Bobozo Health District in the urban environment of Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2.2. Type of Study and Period of Study
We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study over the period extending from January 1 to December 31, 2022.
2.3. Target Population
The target population was made up of the population residing in the Bobozo Health District.
2.4. Sampling
2.4.1. Sampling Technique
We opted for non-probability snowball sampling.
2.4.2. Inclusion Criteria
All people residing in the Bobozo Health District, present during our field trip, available and having agreed to answer our survey questionnaire were included in this study.
2.4.3. Sample Size
We included 422 individuals who freely agreed to participate in the survey.
2.5. Data Collection Materials and Techniques
2.5.1. Data Collection Materials
We used a pre-established and pre-tested survey questionnaire to collect data that was useful for this study.
2.5.2. Data Collection Techniques
Structured interviews and direct observation were used as necessary information gathering techniques.
2.6. Variables Studied
The main study variables were sociodemographic characteristics, the population’s knowledge of barrier gestures regarding Covid-19, and their attitudes and practices.
2.7. Data Management and Analysis
Data entry and encoding were carried out using Excel software while statistical analyzes were carried out by Epi Info version 7.2.5.0.
2.8. Ethical Considerations
The main ethical principles (such as anonymity and confidentiality of the data collected as well as the free and informed consent of the respondents) were rigorously respected.
3. Results
3.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics
Most of the selected respondents were male (56%), aged 25 - 29 (46%), with secondary education (45%), married (75%), and government employees (47%) (See Table 1).
Table 1. Distribution of respondents according to socio-demographic characteristics.
Variables |
Frequency (n = 422) |
Percentage |
Gender |
|
|
Male |
238 |
56 |
Female |
184 |
44 |
Ages (Years) |
|
|
15 - 19 |
73 |
17 |
20 - 24 |
56 |
13 |
25 - 29 |
194 |
46 |
30 - 34 |
84 |
20 |
≥35 |
15 |
4 |
Profession |
|
|
Liberal profession |
69 |
16 |
Public sector |
197 |
47 |
Education |
45 |
11 |
Private sector |
71 |
17 |
Others |
40 |
9 |
Matrimonial Status |
|
Bachelor |
45 |
11 |
Married |
315 |
75 |
Divorce |
25 |
6 |
Widow |
37 |
8 |
Education Level |
|
Without level |
56 |
13 |
Primary |
95 |
23 |
Secondary |
188 |
45 |
University |
83 |
19 |
3.2. Knowledge of Covid-19
Table 2 indicates that almost all of the respondents declared having knowledge of Covid-19, i.e., 98% of cases.
Table 2. Distribution of respondents according to knowledge of Covid-19.
Knowledge of the Covid-19 |
Frequency |
Percentage |
Yes |
415 |
98 |
No |
7 |
2 |
Total |
422 |
100 |
3.3. Information Channel
It appears from Table 3 that the radio and the Church proved to be the main sources of information on Covid-19, with 75.7% and 12.3% respectively, compared to 3.4% of cases in which the community was informed.
Table 3. Distribution of respondents according to information channel.
Information Channel |
Frequency (n = 415) |
Percentage |
Radio |
314 |
75.7 |
Church |
51 |
12.3 |
Friend |
36 |
8.7 |
Community |
14 |
|
3.4. Known Signs of Covid-19
Table 4 shows that dry cough (51.6%) and difficulty breathing (20.5%) were mainly cited as signs of Covid-19.
Table 4. Distribution of respondents according to known signs of Covid-19.
Known Signs of Covid-19 |
Frequency (n = 415) |
Pourcentage |
Dry cough |
214 |
51.6 |
Breathing difficulty |
85 |
20.5 |
High fever |
46 |
11.1 |
Other signs |
70 |
16.9 |
3.5. Known Modes of Contamination of Covid-19
Table 5 presented above shows that the respondents incriminated hand greeting (64.3%) and contact either with a patient (24.1%) or with a contaminated object (10.4%) as the main modes of contamination of Covid-19.
Table 5. Distribution of respondents according to known modes of contamination of Covid-19.
Known Modes of Contamination of Covid-19 |
Frequency (n = 415) |
Percentage |
Hand greeting |
267 |
64.3 |
Contact with a patient |
100 |
24.1 |
Contact with a contaminated object |
43 |
10.4 |
Contact with contaminated liquid |
20 |
4.8 |
Sexual intercourse |
5 |
1.2 |
3.6. Barrier Measures Used
Table 6 shows that the main barrier measures used to avoid Covid-19 were wearing a mask (51.6%) and respecting social distancing (23.4%).
Table 6. Distribution of respondents according to the barrier measures used.
Barrier Measures Used |
Frequency (n = 415) |
Percentage (%) |
Wearing a mask |
214 |
51.6 |
Respect for social distancing |
97 |
23.4 |
Use of disinfectants |
80 |
19.3 |
Prohibition of the hand salute |
24 |
5.8 |
3.7. Regular Practice of Barrier Measures
It appears from Table 7 that more than three-quarters of the respondents (i.e., 77.3% of cases) declared that they regularly practice barrier measures to fight against Covid-19. The main barrier measures used to prevent Covid-19 were wearing a mask (51.6%), respecting social distancing (23.4%) and using disinfectants (19.3%).
Table 7. Distribution of respondents according to the regular practice of barrier measures.
Regular Practice of Barrier |
Frequency |
Percentage |
Yes |
321 |
77.3 |
No |
94 |
22.7 |
Total |
415 |
100 |
4. Discussion
4.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics
It appears from the study carried out that the respondents were mainly male (56%), aged 25 to 29 years (46%), with secondary education (45%), married (75%) and civil servants, the State in 47% of cases (Table 1). A study carried out in Lubumbashi found that a large proportion of respondents were men and the most represented age group was between 18 and 24 years old [6].
4.2. Knowledge of Covid-19
In the selected sample, 98% of respondents said they were aware of Covid-19 (Table 2). A study conducted in 2022 in Kananga by Richard Bokele and allies reported that almost all respondents claimed to have already heard of Covid-19 (98.2%) [7].
4.3. Barrier Measures Used
The barrier measures used by the population surveyed to avoid Covid-19 were mainly wearing a mask (51.6%), respecting social distancing (23.4%) and the use of disinfectants in 19.3 % of cases (Table 6). The results of a study carried out in Benin show that nearly 6 out of 10 respondents (i.e., 58% of cases) wore a mask [8]. In the town of Kananga (in the Democratic Republic of Congo), a study observed that 60.8% of study participants regularly wore a mask, nearly 52% of cases claimed to respect distancing and 79.3% of surveyed said they washed their hands regularly [7]. Mainly washing hands (89.1%), respected physical distancing (41.8%) and wearing a mask (12.7%) were washed their hands, 41.8% respected physical distancing and 12.7% wore a mask the barrier measures used by the population surveyed to avoid Covid-19 at Departmental University Hospital Center Ouémé-Plateau, Benin, in 2021 [9].
In Sudan, among 362 students from the International University surveyed, 80.6% of participants understood social distancing correctly [10].
4.4. Regular Practice of Barrier Measures
More than three-quarters of respondents (i.e., 77.3% of cases) declared that they regularly practice barrier measures to fight Covid-19 (Table 7). The regularity of compliance with barrier measures was also effective in a study carried out in 2022 in Lubumbashi [6]. The population’s adherence to preventive measures is crucial for the success of the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, whether it is a question of respecting barrier gestures or vaccination [11].
5. Conclusions
A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on the population of the Bobozo Health District in the city of Kananga during Covid-19. The objective of this work was to evaluate not only the level of knowledge of the population about Covid-19 but also the application of barrier gestures in the Bobozo Health District.
Almost all of the respondents said they were aware of Covid-19, i.e., 98% of cases. More than three-quarters of respondents (77.3%) said they regularly practice barrier measures to fight Covid-19. The main barrier measures employed were wearing a mask (51.6%), respecting social distancing (23.4%) and using disinfectants (19.3%).
Regular and adequate communication is necessary to encourage the population to respect barrier gestures not only against Covid-19 but also for any epidemic because the resilience of a health system also depends on good communication in terms of health education.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.