Rapid Study on Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Social Economic Impacts Related to COVID-19 Outbreak in Kenya

Abstract

The novel corona virus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the world and now it has become a pandemic. However, little is known about how people are likely to react to a pandemic crisis in Kenya making it difficult to develop effective communication strategies and behavioural interventions that anticipate people's possible reactions and subsequently limit the consequences of a pandemic if it were to occur again. This rapid study aims to understand possible behavioral reactions to COVID -19 by understanding knowledge, attitude, perceptions and possible socio-economic impacts related to COVID-19. Results indicate moderate level of knowledge about COVID-19 and adequate knowledge about the preventive measures. Although responders were willing to follow government guidelines on quarantine and social distancing, it was very clear that social distancing is a privilege only a few can afford in Kenya. Results indicate that the use of SMS to share COVID-19 alerts, notifications and messaging was preferred by most respondents. The anxiety levels identified were also high, where 78% of the participants were worried about losing a loved one to COVID-19. The study proposes some recommendations to be considered in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.