Open J Public Health | Volume 4, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access

Knowledge and Practices of Indigenous Populations on COVID-19 in the Republic of Congo: Case of the Sangha Department, 2021

Yvonne Valerie Yolande Mavoungou*, Ange Clauvel Niama, Gilbert Ndziessi, Maryse Essami Issongo and Severin Anani Odzebe

Department of Public Health, University Marien Ngouabi, Republic of the Congo

*Correspondance to: Yvonne Valerie Yolande Mavoungou 

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Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19, which originated in China, has changed the global epidemiological landscape by increasing morbidity and mortality. The difficulties of indigenous populations in coping with this pandemic are evident. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of the indigenous populations of the Sangha on COVID-19. Methodology: This is a community-based analytical CAP study that took place from May 10th to August 10th, 2021 among the indigenous people of the Sangha Department in the Republic of Congo. A two-stage cluster survey was conducted and the SCHWARTZ formula was used to obtain a sample of 427 subjects. Data were entered and processed in Excel 2020 and analyzed using Epi- Info version 7.2.6 software. To assess knowledge and practices on COVID-19, a point score was assigned to the different responses: 0 to 4= Very negative, 5 to 8= Negative, 9 to 12= Positive, 13 to 16= Very positive. The odds ratios and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were used to quantify the strength of the relationship. The test was significant if the p-value was less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.1 ± 13.92 years. The sex ratio of men to women was 1.16. The predominant level of knowledge was very negative (37.5%). The level of majority practices was negative (38%). Finally, only the level of knowledge was significantly associated with prevention practices [OR=7.5; CI 95% = (4.5-12.3), P<0.05]. Conclusion: This study shows that the level of knowledge was associated with prevention practices, but was overall low among indigenous peoples. It shows that these populations can take ownership of prevention measures and actively participate in the fight against coronavirus.

Keywords:

COVID-19; Knowledge and practices; Indigenous; Sangha, Congo

Citation:

Mavoungou YVY, Niama AC, Ndziessi G, Issongo ME, Odzebe SA. Knowledge and Practices of Indigenous Populations on COVID-19 in the Republic of Congo: Case of the Sangha Department, 2021. Open J Public Health. 2022; 4(2): 1035..

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