Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Adult Ugandan Athletes towards Covid-19 during the lockdown

Abstract

Covid-19 is a growing epidemic and pandemic that forced lock downs across the world including Uganda. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) related to covid-19 during lockdown can inform the level of awareness and potential strategies. The main objective of this study was to understand knowledge, attitudes and practices related to covid-19 among Adult Ugandan athletes during the lock down period. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 55 athletes online between July, 2020 and September, 2020. The participants responded to a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and practices, modified from a previously published questionnaire on covid-19 elsewhere. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data using IBM SPSS statistics version 25. The results indicate that the overall knowledge level was high (81.3%). Most participants were optimistic about a successful control of covid-19 in Uganda (63%) and followed the guidelines issued by the government and the ministry of health Uganda (74.6%) including social distancing (34.5%) practice of hand washing (94.6%) and used masks (72.7%). Majority of participants (70.4%) were optimistic in successful defeat of covid-19and (74.1%) following the covid-19 guidelines. However, some participants were skeptical about practicing the covid-19 guidelines (20%) and had negative attitudes towards the fight against covid-19 (18.1%). Generally, adult Ugandan athletes have a high level of knowledge, positive attitudes and following practices suggested by the ministry of health in response to covid-19 pandemic. However, a huge number of participants do not trust the way government handled the matter in lock down.