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”.