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Knowledge and sources of information on COVID-19 among children in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi

    (Children and Social Protection)

  • Zita Kyei-Gyamfi

    (Electricity Company of Ghana)

Abstract

The few works on COVID-19 in Ghana have a strong emphasis on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adults regarding the disease. As a supplement to the inadequate knowledge, this study examined children’s knowledge and sources of information regarding COVID-19. It was a cross-sectional study that employed mixed research methods for data collection and analysis. The study utilized remote research methods, including a web survey and phone interviews, for data collection from a sample of 385 children in two COVID-19 hotspot cities, Accra and Tema, in Ghana. The results show that almost all children sampled were aware of COVID-19. The qualitative aspects, however, reveal that some children do not have accurate knowledge about the causes and prevention of the virus and disease. This is evident from some children’s claims that bacteria, mosquitoes, and insect bites are the causes of the transmission of the virus and disease. The study reveals the internet, social media, and television are the most common methods for children to learn about COVID-19. The findings also show differences in the information sources across the major subgroups of sex, age, and educational attainment. The study further concludes that precautions should be taken by parents and carers regarding information consumed by children on social media. Hence, there is a need for the government and its partners to increase educational drives aimed at strengthening children’s knowledge about the transmission and prevention of the virus in educational institutions and in settings where children and young people are the dominant groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi & Zita Kyei-Gyamfi, 2023. "Knowledge and sources of information on COVID-19 among children in Ghana," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:10:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-023-02158-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-023-02158-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ernest Agyemang & Joseph Awetori Yaro, 2023. "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception as Predictors of COVID-19 Safety Practices of Ride-Hailing Operators in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Most Zannatul Ferdous & Md Saiful Islam & Md Tajuddin Sikder & Abu Syed Md Mosaddek & J A Zegarra-Valdivia & David Gozal, 2020. "Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh: An online-based cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Elnadi Hager & Ismail A Odetokun & Obasanjo Bolarinwa & Ahmed Zainab & Ochulor Okechukwu & Ahmad I Al-Mustapha, 2020. "Knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards the 2019 Coronavirus Pandemic: A bi-national survey in Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, July.
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