Knowledge and preparedness for home-based, family-centered management of COVID-19 patients and dead bodies among residents in a COVID-19 high-risk setting

BACKGROUND: The overwhelming coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) cases have called for inevitable home-based care for some cases and direct involvement in COVID-19 dead body burials by many families worldwide. However, data on the knowledge and readiness by families for these practices is still scarce, hence this study among residents of Wakiso district, Uganda. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study between 6th March and 4th April 2021. Household heads aged 15years and above in 5 sub counties of Wakiso district were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between COVID-19 related knowledge on home-based care and burials with demographics characteristics. RESULTS: We enrolled 205 participants, with a median age of 28 (range: 25–35) years. Majority (n = 157, 76.6%) were female and had achieved at least secondary level of education (n = 117, 57.1%). The mean knowledge score on home-based care for COVID-19 patient was 49.5 %, while that on COVID-19 dead body management was 36.5%. Seven (3.4%) respondents were ready to undertake home-based care and dead body management. For the remainder 198 (96.6%) unready respondents reported inadequate knowledge (n = 166, 84%) and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) (n = 17, 8.6%) as major barriers for their readiness. There was no statistically significant difference in both the knowledge on home-based COVID-19 patient care and dead body management stratified by demographics characteristics. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and preparedness for home-based Covid-19 patient care and dead body management are suboptimal among Wakiso district residents. More public education programmes and PPE provision are recommended.