Factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge among Ghanaians: A national survey

BACKGROUND: Adequate knowledge about COVID-19 in a population may be relevant in the fight to control its spread among the populace. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with real knowledge of COVID-19 among Ghanaians to promote effective dissemination of appropriate information aimed at containing the spread. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey and computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) was conducted among Ghanaians aged 18 years and above across the 260 districts of Ghana. The survey assessed the level of knowledge of COVID-19 and its associated factors and compared differences between perceived and real knowledge. One district health promotion officer per district was trained for the data collection. Participants were recruited via use of phone directories of both organized and non-organized local district groups. Phone calls were made to randomly selected phone contacts to schedule options for participation in the study. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate the associated factors of COVID-19 knowledge among respondents. RESULTS: Of the 2,721 participants who completed the survey, the majority (99.3%) were aware of the existence of the COVID-19 outbreak, had good knowledge on infection prevention (87.0%) and rated their knowledge about COVID-19 as good (81.7%). Factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge were: age ≥56 years (aOR = 0.5; CI: 0.3–0.8; p = 0.002), tertiary education (aOR = 1.8; CI: 1.2–2.6; p = 0.003), residing in Greater Accra region (aOR = 2.0; CI: 1.1–3.6; p = 0.019), not infected with the novel coronavirus (aOR = 1.5; Cl: 1.0–2.1; p = 0.045), knowing an infected person (aOR = 3.5; CI = 1.5–7.9; p = 0.003), good practice of effective preventive measures (aOR = 1.2: Cl: 1.1–1.5: 0.008), not misinformed (aOR = 0.7; Cl: 0.5–0.9; 0.015), and perceiving spreading speed of the virus as slow (aOR = 0.7; Cl: 0.5–0.9; 0.007). CONCLUSION: The study found good knowledge regarding COVID-19, control measures, and preventive strategies. The Ghana Health Service should continuously provide accurate information to educate the media and citizens to prevent misinformation, which is vital in stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus.