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COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

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  • Trésor Carsi Kuhangana

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, University of Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Caleb Kamanda Mbayo

    (Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Higher School of Industrial Engineers, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Joseph Pyana Kitenge

    (Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Arlène Kazadi Ngoy

    (Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Taty Muta Musambo

    (Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Haut-Katanga Provincial Inspection of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Paul Musa Obadia

    (Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Haut-Katanga Provincial Division of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Patrick D.M.C. Katoto

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine & Prof. Lurhuma Biomedical Research Laboratory, Mycobacterium Unit, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Department of Medicine and Center for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

  • Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu

    (Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Haut-Katanga Provincial Division of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Benoit Nemery

    (Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

Background. Public markets were exempted from the restrictive regulations instituted to limit the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the early stage of the pandemic, we assessed people’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior on public markets towards COVID-19. Methods . We conducted a cross-sectional study from 16 to 29 April 2020 among sellers and customers frequenting the food sections of ten public markets in three large cities (Kolwezi, Likasi, and Lubumbashi) and one small town (Lwambo) of the former Katanga province. We administered a questionnaire on knowledge (about clinical characteristics, transmission and prevention) and on attitudes in relation to COVID-19. We also observed prevailing practices (hand-washing and mask-wearing). Results : Of the 347 included participants (83% women, 83% sellers), most had low socioeconomic status and a low level of education. Only 30% of participants had correct knowledge of COVID-19. The majority of the respondents (88%) showed no confidence in the government’s ability to manage the upcoming pandemic crisis. Nearly all respondents (98%) were concerned about the associated increase in food insecurity. Preventive practices were rarely in place. Conclusion : For an effective implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, appropriate health education programs to improve knowledge and attitudes are warranted among the population frequenting public markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Trésor Carsi Kuhangana & Caleb Kamanda Mbayo & Joseph Pyana Kitenge & Arlène Kazadi Ngoy & Taty Muta Musambo & Paul Musa Obadia & Patrick D.M.C. Katoto & Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu & Benoit Nemery, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7441-:d:427018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neuenkirch, Edith & Hayo, Bernd, 2015. "The influence of media use on laymen s monetary policy knowledge in Germany," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 113218, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
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    Cited by:

    1. Barbara Urszula Buraczyńska & Anna Elżbieta Żelazna & Agnieszka Barbara Bojanowska, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Behaviours of Polish Consumers in the Organic Products Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Hua Guo & Yang Zhang & Yanling Peng & Tong Luo & Hong Wang, 2022. "Does COVID-19 Affect Household Financial Behaviors? Fresh Evidence From China," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, August.

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