Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards COVID-19 preventive measures among adolescents living with HIV in Uganda
Abstract
Background: Corona virus disease is a global pandemic which still has a negative impact on the
health of the population. People living with HIV need to have adequate knowledge, good attitudes
and practices towards COVID-19 preventive measures. This study aimed to assess the knowledge,
attitude and practices towards COVID-19 preventive measures among adolescents living with HIV.
Methods: Quantitative data was collected using pre-tested interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaire tools, including questions about knowledge, attitude and practices.
Knowledge was assessed using ten questions and attitude was assessed using six Likert items and
these were adapted from (Li, Chen, Zhang, Xiong, & Li, 2020), Twinamasiko et al., 2021, Olum,
Chekwech, Wekha, Nassozi, & Bongomin, 2020). The tools were modified by the authors to suite
adolescents with HIV. Practices were assessed using five Likert items developed by the authors
based on the WHO and Ministry of Health, Uganda, recommended practices for the prevention of
COVID-19.
Results: Out of the 140 participants, the majority were in the age group 15-19 and the mean age
was 15.37 (SD: 1.96). There were more females (n=74, 52.9%) than males (n=66, 47.1%). , The
majority of the participants, were unemployed (n=137, 97.7%), in school and from urban areas (n=
108, 77.1%) and (n= 106, 75.7%), respectively. Overall, 24% (n=34) had sufficient knowledge,
64% (n=90) had a good attitude, and 11% (n= 15) had good practices towards COVID-19
preventive measures. Factors found to be positively associated with knowledge were age (15-19),
female gender and having prior COVID-19 training. Being a female was directly proposal to
having a good attitude. The practices toward COVID-19 preventive measures were analogous
irrespective of age, school status, prior COVID-19 training and residence status.
Conclusion: There was poor knowledge and practices towards COVID-19 preventive measures.
Continued education of adolescents in Uganda is therefore encouraged in schools and health
facilities to improve their knowledge and change their poor practices towards COVID-19
preventive measures.
Key words: “COVID-19”, “Knowledge”, “attitude”, “practices”, “adolescents”, “toward”,
“Kawaala Health centre IV”.