Abstract
Handwashing is essential for respiratory virus prevention, but uptake of handwashing in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic remains under-explored. This study examines trends in and determinants of handwashing practices for COVID-19 prevention in 10 countries in West, East, and Southern Africa. Data are derived from an online global Facebook survey assessing COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices, fielded in July (Round 1) and November 2020 (Round 2). Adults ≥18 years (N = 29,964) were asked if they practiced handwashing with soap and water in the past week to prevent COVID-19. Design-corrected F-statistics compared knowledge and practice of handwashing, at country and regional levels, between survey rounds. A country-level fixed-effects logistic regression model then identified socio-demographic and ideational correlates of handwashing at Round 2. Most participants were >30 years-old, men, post-secondary educated, and urban residents. Between survey rounds, handwashing prevalence declined significantly across regions and in each country, from a 14% decline (Δ84%-70%) in Tanzania to a 3% decline (Δ92%-89%) in South Africa. Handwashing was higher among participants aged >30 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.15-1.35) and with post-secondary education (aOR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.49-1.77) but lower among men (aOR = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.64-0.78). Ideational factors associated with handwashing included perceived effectiveness of handwashing (aOR = 2.17, 95%CI: 2.00-2.36), knowing someone diagnosed with COVID-19 (aOR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.18-1.40), and perceived importance of personal action for COVID-19 prevention (aOR = 2.93; 95%CI: 2.60-3.31). Adjusting for socio-demographic and ideational factors, country-level marginal probabilities of handwashing ranged from 67% in Tanzania to 91% in South Africa in Round 2. COVID-19 prevention messages should stress the importance of handwashing, coupled with mask use and physical distancing, for mitigating respiratory disease transmission. Behaviour change communications should be sensitive to resource heterogeneities in African countries, which shape opportunities for sustainable handwashing behaviours.
Highlights
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the health and well-being of people around the world
Ideational factors associated with handwashing included perceived effectiveness of handwashing for COVID-19 prevention, perceiving personal action as important for slowing the spread of COVID-19, and knowledge of someone diagnosed with COVID-19
30 years >30 years Gender Women Men Education Secondary or less Post-secondary Residence Rural Urban Ideational factors Very good or excellent health Perceived effectiveness of handwashing to prevent COVID-19 Personal action important for slowing COVID-19 spread Knew someone diagnosed with COVID-19 Perceived norms around personal action for slowing COVID-19 spread
Summary
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the health and well-being of people around the world. As of August 16, 2021, over 207 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed–with over 4.3 million deaths recorded across continents [1]. In sub-Saharan Africa, prevalence of COVID-19 cases varies across settings. In South Africa, where an identified SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (B.1.351) has posed additional challenges for mitigating transmission (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) [2], over 1.5 million cases have been confirmed [1]. Handwashing is an important strategy for minimizing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses like the 2009 H1N1 [3, 4] as well as diarrheal diseases and outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola [5, 6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
