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Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Results of Two Consecutive Online Surveys

Author

Listed:
  • John D. Ditekemena

    (Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 834, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Hypolite M. Mavoko

    (Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 834, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Michael Obimpeh

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Stijn Van Hees

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Dalau M. Nkamba

    (Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 834, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Pôle d’Épidémiologie et Biostatistique, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), 1348 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Antoinette Tshefu

    (Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 834, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Wim Van Damme

    (Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2600 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Jean Jacques Muyembe

    (Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale and Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 834, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Robert Colebunders

    (Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

Adherence to preventive measures is essential to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Two online surveys were conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 23 April to 8 June 2020, and from August 24th to September 8th, respectively. A total of 3268 (round 1) and 4160 (round 2) participants were included. In both surveys, there was a moderate level of adherence to regular handwashing (85% and 77%, respectively), wearing of facemasks (41.4% and 69%, respectively), and respecting physical distancing (58% and 43.4%, respectively). The second survey found that, working in private (OR = 2.31, CI: 1.66–3.22; p < 0.001) and public organizations (OR = 1.61, CI: 1.04–2.49; p = 0.032) and being a healthcare worker (OR = 2.19, CI: 1.57–3.05; p < 0.001) significantly increased the odds for better adherence. However, a unit increase in age (OR = 0.99, CI: 0.98–0.99; p < 0.026), having attained lower education levels (OR = 0.60, CI: 0.46–0.78; p < 0.001), living in a room (OR = 0.36, CI: 0.15–0.89; p = 0.027), living in a studio (OR = 0.26, CI: 0.11–0.61; p = 0.002) and apartment (OR = 0.29, CI: 0.10–0.82; p = 0.019) significantly decreased the odds for better adherence. We recommend a multi-sectorial approach to monitor and respond to the pandemic threat. While physical distancing may be difficult in Africa, it should be possible to increase the use of facemasks.

Suggested Citation

  • John D. Ditekemena & Hypolite M. Mavoko & Michael Obimpeh & Stijn Van Hees & Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo & Dalau M. Nkamba & Antoinette Tshefu & Wim Van Damme & Jean Jacques Muyembe & Robert Colebunders, 2021. "Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Results of Two Consecutive Online Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2525-:d:510020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ghanbari, Behzad, 2020. "On forecasting the spread of the COVID-19 in Iran: The second wave," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Amel Tayech & Mohamed Arbi Mejri & Issam Makhlouf & Ameni Mathlouthi & David G. Behm & Anis Chaouachi, 2020. "Second Wave of COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Athletes’ Confinement: Recommendations to Better Manage and Optimize the Modified Lifestyle," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. John D. Ditekemena & Christophe Luhata & Hypolite M. Mavoko & Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo & Dalau M. Nkamba & Wim Van Damme & Shahul H. Ebrahim & Christiana Noestlinger & Robert Colebunders, 2021. "Intimate Partners Violence against Women during a COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Results of an Online Survey in 7 Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Francisca López-Torrecillas & Eva Castillo-Fernández & Isabel Ramírez-Uclés & Ignacio Martín, 2021. "Impulsivity and Compulsivity and Their Relationship with Non-Adherence to Treatment in the Prison Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.
    3. Lu Wang & Jie Yu & Dongmei Chen & Lixia Yang, 2021. "Relationships among COVID-19 Prevention Practices, Risk Perception and Individual Characteristics: A Temporal Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Ekaterina A. Shashina & Valentina V. Makarova & Denis V. Shcherbakov & Tatiana S. Isiutina-Fedotkova & Nadezhda N. Zabroda & Nina A. Ermakova & Anton Yu. Skopin & Oleg V. Mitrokhin, 2021. "Use of Respiratory Protection Devices by Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, May.

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