Knowledge and Practices of Populations Concerning COVID-19 In Belier Health Region of Cote d'Ivoire in 2020

Introduction: like other African countries, Côte d'Ivoire recorded its first case on March 11, 2020. Less than a month later, the country was classified as stage 2 in the risk assessment according to WHO criteria. Faced with the real risk of the epidemic spreading, Ivorian government took emergency measures to address the challenges of an effective response. To fill the gap in the absence of studies on COVID-19 in Côte d'Ivoire and with the lifting of certain health measures, we felt it was important to conduct this study among the populations of Bélier health region, which includes transit cities. Method: this was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted from June 2 to 7, 2020, in Belier health region. The study population consisted of heads of households and/or their representatives. A total of 165 people was surveyed. Quantitative variables were described as means with standard deviations, and qualitative variables were described as proportions. Comparisons were made using chi-square test, and the significance level used was 5%. Result: the average age of respondents was 42.1 ± 13.6. More than half were female (61.8%), were uneducated (50.9%), and lived in rural areas (50.9%). Knowledge was generally unsatisfactory, with an average and median estimated at 3.93/8 and 4.07/8, respectively. Respondents living in urban areas had a median knowledge level above those living in rural areas, at the limit of significance (p = 0.051). Practices were considered as good with a mean and median of 4.26/5 and 4/5 respectively but it was noted that only 6.7% wore masks regularly, while 46.7% did not. Conclusion: the knowledge and practices of populations in Belier health region regarding COVID-19 and measures to fight it were acceptable overall. To improve the fight against this disease, a community communication strategy should be put in place.