Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic in South-east Gabon.

Abstract BackgroundCOVID-19 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It has spread from China to more than 200 countries and has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This survey aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, perception and practices (KAP) of the Gabonese public towards the COVID-19 disease.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 1016 participants aged 10 years and over in rural and urban area in south-east Gabon, using a questionnaire. All participants filled the questionnaire voluntarily, reporting demographic characteristics and answering questions assessing their level of knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practice toward the COVID-19. ResultsAmong the 1016 participants, there were 535 men (52.7%) and 476 women (46.9%). The mean age of the participants was 33.2±16.7 years old. Almost all participants (98.1%) said that they had heard about COVID-19 but only 2.8% knew the pathogenic agent responsible for COVID-19. Only 20.9% of respondents thought that vaccination can protect them but 51.9% were looking forward to getting the vaccine when available. More than 80% knew that the disease could be transmitted by greeting infected people (87.3%), kissing an infected person (90.0%), touching an infected doorknobs (83.5%), and attending meetings (83.9%). The mean knowledge score was higher among younger than older participants, higher among participants living in urban area than those living in rural areas, and higher among participants with higher levels of education than those with lower levels of education.ConclusionIn general, respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19, and a positive attitude towards using protective measures. These results are encouraging in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Gabon. However, efforts are needed to improve the knowledge level in older participants, those living in rural areas and those with low levels of education. Awareness campaigns in local languages could, for example, be conducted to improve knowledge of the disease in rural areas.