Assessing knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among traders and sanitary workers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

Background Since its emergence, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected over half a billion people, killed over 6 million others, and ravaged the global economy on a scale that is unprecedented in recent history. In response, a global health emergency was launched that led to further disruptions in the ordinary way of life of people. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of people towards COVID-19 are central to infection control policies and the future course of the pandemic. Methods We employed an interviewer-administered, cross-sectional survey to examine the KAP of salespersons in a local market and sanitation workers of a public institution within the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Results were analysed by frequencies of responses for each KAP item on the questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables that predicted good knowledge of COVID-19 or preventive practices were determined using adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results Out of the 206 participants, 123 (59.7%) obtained a knowledge score ≥16.75 out of a total of 21, which was the threshold for good knowledge, while 41.3% were classified as possessing poor knowledge. On good attitudes towards COVID-19 prevention, 141 participants (68.4%) scored ≥10.69 out of 12 to pass the threshold, while 31.6% had poor attitudes. Being female (aOR=6.19, P<0.001) or possessing a high school education (aOR=0.25, P=0.009) significantly predicted high knowledge scores. Being in the 15-30 age group (aOR=6.91, P=0.003) significantly predicted poor attitudes, while possessing a high school education (aOR=0.11, P<0.001) significantly predicted good attitudes. Conclusions The findings of this study underscore the need for intensified, targeted educational campaign on COVID-19 as the world prepares to live with the disease for the long while.