Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards COVID-19 in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review; 2020

BACKGROUND: Novel coronavirus disease is a very fast spreading respiratory disease. This disease is becoming a public health emergency across the world. Despite many efforts by countries, organizations, and institutions to prevent and control, the pandemic remains a world health danger. Ethiopia is one of the countries which is severely affected by the pandemic. However, a systematic review of the knowledge, attitude, and practice about coronavirus disease in Ethiopia has not previously done. Thus, the main aim of this systematic review is to investigate the status of people’s knowledge, attitude, and practice about coronavirus disease preventive measures in Ethiopia in 2020. METHODS: Data were extracted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were accessed through electronic web-based search from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google, Google Scholar, and Embase. All statistical analyses were done using Stata version 11 software with a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies with 3818 participants were included in this systematic review and the overall estimated status of the knowledge, attitude, and practice about coronavirus in Ethiopia are 61.78%, 72.39%, and 52.83%, respectively. According to region subgroup analysis, the highest estimated statuses of the knowledge, attitude, and practice are 74% in Tigray, 86.13% in Southern nations, nationalities, and Peoples’ of the region, and 72% in Tigray region, respectively. Subgroup analysis was done based on the focused group and way of questionnaire administration. CONCLUSION: This systematic review revealed people’s knowledge, attitude, and practice about coronavirus disease preventive measures were generally more than 50%. However, government and every individual should address those behaviors stipulated by the World Health Organization and Center for Communicable Disease and Control guidelines to prevent coronavirus disease.