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Assessing Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Kenya

Received: 5 October 2020    Accepted: 20 October 2020    Published: 26 April 2021
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Abstract

OVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory disease that has rapidly spread across the world from the first case that was reported in China in December 2019. The main symptoms of a person infected with corona virus are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, dyspnea and myalgia. One of the main tool employed to control the pandemic is providing the community with correct information about the disease. High knowledge, right attitude towards COVID-19 and are adhering to suggested practices is the most effective approach to control community transmission. It is against this background that this study sought to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among Kenyans. An online cross- section survey was used to collect data between July 26-31, 2020. From the findings, 9.1% of the respondents indicated that their relatives, friends or themselves had contracted COVID-19. There is high knowledge of COVID-19 in Kenya, with 83.97% (82.4, 85.54) aware of its symptoms and preventative measures. With regard to containment of the disease, 55% are optimistic than measures instituted by Kenyan government will eventually control its spread. Daily MoH briefing (56%) and mainstream media (55%) are the main and trusted sources of information about COVID-19. Despite, most persons indicating they wore mask and washed hands while in crowded place, 60% indicated other people were not observing the measures. Gender, age group, education level and occupation influence the COVID-19 knowledge level.

Published in International and Public Affairs (Volume 5, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15
Page(s) 23-28
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP), Corona Virus, Covid-19

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Waiguru Muriuki, Brian Muriithi, Grace Kihika. (2021). Assessing Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Kenya. International and Public Affairs, 5(1), 23-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15

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    ACS Style

    Waiguru Muriuki; Brian Muriithi; Grace Kihika. Assessing Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Kenya. Int. Public Aff. 2021, 5(1), 23-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15

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    AMA Style

    Waiguru Muriuki, Brian Muriithi, Grace Kihika. Assessing Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Kenya. Int Public Aff. 2021;5(1):23-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15,
      author = {Waiguru Muriuki and Brian Muriithi and Grace Kihika},
      title = {Assessing Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Kenya},
      journal = {International and Public Affairs},
      volume = {5},
      number = {1},
      pages = {23-28},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ipa.20210501.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ipa.20210501.15},
      abstract = {OVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory disease that has rapidly spread across the world from the first case that was reported in China in December 2019. The main symptoms of a person infected with corona virus are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, dyspnea and myalgia. One of the main tool employed to control the pandemic is providing the community with correct information about the disease. High knowledge, right attitude towards COVID-19 and are adhering to suggested practices is the most effective approach to control community transmission. It is against this background that this study sought to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among Kenyans. An online cross- section survey was used to collect data between July 26-31, 2020. From the findings, 9.1% of the respondents indicated that their relatives, friends or themselves had contracted COVID-19. There is high knowledge of COVID-19 in Kenya, with 83.97% (82.4, 85.54) aware of its symptoms and preventative measures. With regard to containment of the disease, 55% are optimistic than measures instituted by Kenyan government will eventually control its spread. Daily MoH briefing (56%) and mainstream media (55%) are the main and trusted sources of information about COVID-19. Despite, most persons indicating they wore mask and washed hands while in crowded place, 60% indicated other people were not observing the measures. Gender, age group, education level and occupation influence the COVID-19 knowledge level.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    AU  - Waiguru Muriuki
    AU  - Brian Muriithi
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    AB  - OVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory disease that has rapidly spread across the world from the first case that was reported in China in December 2019. The main symptoms of a person infected with corona virus are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, dyspnea and myalgia. One of the main tool employed to control the pandemic is providing the community with correct information about the disease. High knowledge, right attitude towards COVID-19 and are adhering to suggested practices is the most effective approach to control community transmission. It is against this background that this study sought to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among Kenyans. An online cross- section survey was used to collect data between July 26-31, 2020. From the findings, 9.1% of the respondents indicated that their relatives, friends or themselves had contracted COVID-19. There is high knowledge of COVID-19 in Kenya, with 83.97% (82.4, 85.54) aware of its symptoms and preventative measures. With regard to containment of the disease, 55% are optimistic than measures instituted by Kenyan government will eventually control its spread. Daily MoH briefing (56%) and mainstream media (55%) are the main and trusted sources of information about COVID-19. Despite, most persons indicating they wore mask and washed hands while in crowded place, 60% indicated other people were not observing the measures. Gender, age group, education level and occupation influence the COVID-19 knowledge level.
    VL  - 5
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Author Information
  • Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya

  • School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kirinyaga University, Kirinyaga, Kenya

  • College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya

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