Review
- Joseph Kawuki1, MPH ;
- Paul Shing-fong Chan1, MEd ;
- Yuan Fang2, PhD ;
- Siyu Chen1, MPH ;
- Phoenix K H Mo1, PhD ;
- Zixin Wang1, PhD
1Centre for Health Behaviours Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, China (Hong Kong)
2Department of Health and Physical Education, the Education University of Hong Kong, New Territories, China (Hong Kong)
Corresponding Author:
Zixin Wang, PhD
Centre for Health Behaviours Research
Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Room 508, School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital
Shatin, NT
China (Hong Kong)
Phone: 852 22528740
Email: wangzx@cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract
Background: With COVID-19 being a newly evolving disease, its response measures largely depend on the practice of and compliance with personal protective measures (PPMs).
Objective: This systematic review aimed to examine the knowledge and practice of COVID-19 PPMs in African countries as documented in the published literature.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted on the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases using appropriate keywords and predefined eligibility criteria for the selection of relevant studies. Only population-based original research studies (including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies) conducted in Africa and published in the English language were included. The screening process and data extraction were performed according to a preregistered protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42022355101) and followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Thematic analysis was used to systematically summarize the studies into 4 predefined domains: knowledge and perception of PPMs, mask use, social and physical distancing, and handwashing and hand hygiene, including their respective levels and associated factors.
Results: A total of 58 studies across 12 African countries were included, published between 2019 and 2022. African communities, including various population groups, had varying levels of knowledge and practice of COVID-19 PPMs, with the lack of personal protective equipment (mainly face masks) and side effects (among health care workers) being the major reasons for poor compliance. Lower rates of handwashing and hand hygiene were particularly noted in several African countries, especially among low-income urban and slum dwellers, with the main barrier being the lack of safe and clean water. Various cognitive (knowledge and perception), sociodemographic, and economic factors were associated with the practice of COVID-19 PPMs. Moreover, there were evident research inequalities at the regional level, with East Africa contributing 36% (21/58) of the studies, West Africa contributing 21% (12/58), North Africa contributing 17% (10/58), Southern Africa contributing 7% (4/58), and no single-country study from Central Africa. Nonetheless, the overall quality of the included studies was generally good as they satisfied most of the quality assessment criteria.
Conclusions: There is a need to enhance local capacity to produce and supply personal protective equipment. Consideration of various cognitive, demographic, and socioeconomic differences, with extra focus on the most vulnerable, is crucial for inclusive and more effective strategies against the pandemic. Moreover, more focus and involvement in community behavioral research are needed to fully understand and address the dynamics of the current pandemic in Africa.
Trial Registration: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022355101; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022355101
doi:10.2196/44051
Keywords
Introduction
Background
After its emergence in December 2019, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, and it has spread to almost all countries and regions, including Africa [Mehtar S, Preiser W, Lakhe NA, Bousso A, TamFum JM, Kallay O, et al. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa: one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries. Lancet Glob Health 2020 Jul;8(7):e881-e883 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]1,Mbow M, Lell B, Jochems SP, Cisse B, Mboup S, Dewals BG, et al. COVID-19 in Africa: dampening the storm? Science 2020 Aug 07;369(6504):624-626. [CrossRef] [Medline]2]. Spreading to the continent through travelers returning from hot spots in Asia, Europe, and the United States, COVID-19 was first recorded in Africa in Egypt on February 14, 2020, and within a few months, the virus had spread throughout the continent [Mehtar S, Preiser W, Lakhe NA, Bousso A, TamFum JM, Kallay O, et al. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa: one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries. Lancet Glob Health 2020 Jul;8(7):e881-e883 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]1,Nachega J, Seydi M, Zumla A. The late arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Africa: mitigating pan-continental spread. Clin Infect Dis 2020 Jul 28;71(15):875-878 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]3]. As of March 20, 2023, a total of 12,804,191 cumulative cases and 258,623 deaths have been reported in Africa compared with 682,546,389 cases and 6,819,835 deaths across the globe, showing a disproportionately low case fatality rate of COVID-19 in Africa [Coronavirus update (Live): reported cases and deaths by country, territory, or conveyance. Worldometers. URL: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ [accessed 2023-03-20] 4].
As in the rest of the world, various response measures were implemented in different African countries to curb the spread of the virus, including statewide lockdowns, restrictions on movement, bans on social gatherings, and school closures [Dyer O. COVID-19: Africa records over 10 000 cases as lockdowns take hold. BMJ 2020 Apr 08;369:m1439. [CrossRef] [Medline]5,Wadvalla BA. How Africa has tackled COVID-19. BMJ 2020 Jul 16;370:m2830. [CrossRef] [Medline]6]. Although the continent appears to have a lower absolute number of cases and deaths compared with other regions [Maeda JM, Nkengasong JN. The puzzle of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. Science 2021 Jan 01;371(6524):27-28. [CrossRef] [Medline]7], which might also be related to the lower number of tests administered, the pandemic has had a deep impact on the socioeconomic systems of African countries [El-Sadr WM, Justman J. Africa in the path of COVID-19. N Engl J Med 2020 Jul 16;383(3):e11. [CrossRef] [Medline]8,Ataguba JE. COVID-19 pandemic, a war to be won: understanding its economic implications for Africa. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2020 Jun;18(3):325-328 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9]. The pandemic has also strained the weak and fragmented health systems, as shown by the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and other treatment necessities, especially for patients with COVID-19 who are critically ill [Wadvalla BA. How Africa has tackled COVID-19. BMJ 2020 Jul 16;370:m2830. [CrossRef] [Medline]6,El-Sadr WM, Justman J. Africa in the path of COVID-19. N Engl J Med 2020 Jul 16;383(3):e11. [CrossRef] [Medline]8].
With COVID-19 being a newly evolving disease, its less-defined outcomes and unprecedented prevention, treatment, and control modes largely require indisputable collaboration among various stakeholders in the community [Ataguba JE. COVID-19 pandemic, a war to be won: understanding its economic implications for Africa. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2020 Jun;18(3):325-328 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9]. Nonpharmaceutical interventions play an important role in the control and prevention of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in its early phase and wave. Despite the availability of approved vaccines against COVID-19, response measures toward this pandemic still largely depend on the practice of and compliance with personal protective measures (PPMs), including face mask use, social and physical distancing, and hand hygiene [Constant A, Conserve D, Gallopel-Morvan K, Raude J. Cognitive factors associated with public acceptance of COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical prevention measures: cross-sectional study. JMIRx Med 2022 May 13;3(2):e32859 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]10]. Moreover, knowledge and perceptions of PPMs have been reported as among the key determinants of practice and compliance with PPMs against COVID-19 as they influence people’s behavior [Constant A, Conserve D, Gallopel-Morvan K, Raude J. Cognitive factors associated with public acceptance of COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical prevention measures: cross-sectional study. JMIRx Med 2022 May 13;3(2):e32859 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]10,Pan Y, Fang Y, Xin M, Dong W, Zhou L, Hou Q, et al. Self-reported compliance with personal preventive measures among Chinese factory workers at the beginning of work resumption following the COVID-19 outbreak: cross-sectional survey study. J Med Internet Res 2020 Sep 29;22(9):e22457 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]11]. These were also considered in this study in the African context.
The pandemic has had a broad range of impacts and challenges across regions, and different communities have responded differently. However, given the diversity of social systems across regions and countries, preparedness and the search for a country- or region-specific practical solution to the pandemic require a better understanding of the challenges of practicing PPMs and hard-learned experiences through comprehensive research [Ataguba JE. COVID-19 pandemic, a war to be won: understanding its economic implications for Africa. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2020 Jun;18(3):325-328 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]9]. There has been a high research output documenting COVID-19 characteristics, clinical outcomes, response, and impact throughout the world but with much less research coming from African countries [Mohadab ME, Bouikhalene B, Safi S. Bibliometric method for mapping the state of the art of scientific production in COVID-19. Chaos Solitons Fractals 2020 Oct;139:110052 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]12,Lou J, Tian SJ, Niu SM, Kang XQ, Lian HX, Zhang LX, et al. Coronavirus disease 2019: a bibliometric analysis and review. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020 Mar;24(6):3411-3421 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]13]. The unavailability of research information might be seen as a barrier to successful prevention and further as a sign of inequity between high- and low-income countries and regions [Volmink J, Dare L. Addressing inequalities in research capacity in Africa. BMJ 2005 Oct 01;331(7519):705-706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14]. This scant literature poses knowledge gaps on how African countries are responding to the pandemic in terms of PPMs. Nonetheless, a recent review by Nwagbara et al [Nwagbara UI, Osual EC, Chireshe R, Bolarinwa OA, Saeed BQ, Khuzwayo N, et al. Knowledge, attitude, perception, and preventative practices towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. PLoS One 2021 Apr 19;16(4):e0249853 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15] reported that most communities in sub-Saharan Africa had a positive attitude toward and good practices regarding COVID-19. Notably, this review considered studies only from sub-Saharan Africa and those conducted in the first stages of the pandemic, so it lacked insights into the overall practice of PPMs in Africa.
Objectives
Thus, this systematic review aimed to examine COVID-19 PPM research from African countries as documented in the published literature. On the basis of specific keywords, the review looked at the levels and associated factors of (1) knowledge and perception of PPMs and (2) practice of COVID-19 PPMs in various populations (including face mask use, physical and social distancing, and handwashing and hand hygiene).
Methods
Study Design
This systematic review was conducted according to a preregistered protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42022355101) and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines ( Filled-in PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist.Multimedia Appendix 1
Search Strategy
We conducted a comprehensive search using a set of appropriate keywords and Medical Subject Heading terms to identify studies reporting on PPMs. For consistency and precision, similar keywords and Medical Subject Heading terms were used and searched for in the article titles across the databases. A comprehensive search of the published literature was performed in each of the 3 selected databases using combinations of key terms and Boolean operators (Textbox 1). These included “mask,” “nose covering,” “personal protective equipment,” “handwashing,” “hand washing,” “hand sanitizer,” “hand sanitiser,” “sanitation,” “hygiene,” “social distance,” “social distancing,” “physical distance,” “physical distancing,” “social acceptance,” “COVID-19,” “2019-nCoV,” “coronavirus disease,” “SARS-CoV-2,” and “corona virus disease 2019.”
Key terms or Boolean operators used for the search.
- “Mask” OR “nose covering” OR “personal protective equipment” OR “handwashing” OR “hand washing” OR “hand sanitizer” OR “hand sanitiser” OR “sanitation” OR “hygiene” OR “social distance” OR “social distancing” OR “physical distance” OR “physical distancing” OR “social acceptance” AND “COVID-19” OR “2019-nCoV” OR “coronavirus disease” OR “SARS-CoV-2” OR “corona virus disease 2019”
- “Mask” OR “nose covering” OR “personal protective*” OR “hand wash*” OR “hand-wash*” OR “hand sanitize*” OR “hand sanitise*” OR “sanitation*” OR “hygiene*” OR “social distance*” OR “physical distance*” OR “social accept*” OR “social acceptance” AND “COVID-19” OR “COVID*”
- “Mask” OR “nose covering” OR “personal protective*” OR “hand wash*” OR “hand-wash*” OR “hand sanitize*” OR “hand sanitise*” OR “sanitation*” OR “hygiene*” OR “social distance*” OR “physical distance*” OR “social accept*” OR “social acceptance” AND “coronavirus*” OR “corona*”
- “Mask” OR “nose covering” OR “personal protective*” OR “hand wash*” OR “hand sanitize*” OR “hand sanitise*” OR “sanitation*” OR “hygiene*” OR “social distance*” OR “physical distance*” OR “social accept*” OR “social acceptance” AND “SARS-CoV-2*” OR “2019-nCoV*”
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
The inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in Table 1. Only population-based original research studies (including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies) conducted in Africa, published in English, and reporting on PPMs against COVID-19 were considered in the full review. In addition, multicountry studies were considered if they included an African country as part of their study population. Only English-language articles published between November 1, 2019, and March 4, 2022, were considered.
Parameter | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
Article or study type |
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Language |
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Publication period |
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Study setting |
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Data Extraction
After screening, data from the relevant studies were independently extracted by 2 reviewers (JK and PSC) onto a structured data extraction template, and a consensus was reached through discussion in case of disagreements on the extracted data. The following variables were extracted: first author, year of publication, study location, study design, key measurements, study population, sample size. and main findings.
Quality Assessment and Analysis
We assessed the information from the included articles using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2018) with detailed descriptions of the rating [Hong QN, Fàbregues S, Bartlett G, Boardman F, Cargo M, Dagenais P, et al. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Educ Inf 2018 Dec 18;34(4):285-291 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]17]. In total, 2 reviewers also independently assessed the quality of the included studies, and in case of discrepancies, a consensus was reached through discussion.
This study used thematic analysis, and the literature in this review was used to understand the practice of PPMs against COVID-19 in African countries. The studies were classified according to four main themes: (1) knowledge and perception of PPMs, (2) mask use, (3) social and physical distancing, and (4) handwashing and hand hygiene, including their respective levels or prevalence and associated factors. In addition, various population groups and challenges faced in practicing COVID-19 PPMs were examined under each of the main themes based on the available information in the analyzed studies. The 4 themes were drafted by a panel of public health experts after a series of discussions to reach a consensus.
The analysis process involved a six-step data synthesis process: (1) in total, 2 reviewers (JK and PSC) extracted relevant information on knowledge and practice of PPMs from each article independently; (2) after extraction, they discussed to reach a consensus on the key information identified in each article; (3) the extracted information was coded under the 4 predefined domains by the 2 reviewers independently; (4) after completing the coding independently, they discussed the results, where any discrepancies were resolved through discussion; (5) the revised coding results were read and checked by the 2 reviewers independently to ensure that all the extracted information was mapped to the 4 domains correctly; and (6) all the information in the codebook was adapted into a tabular format.
Results
Selection of Studies Conducted in Africa
The number of studies identified, reviewed, and selected, including the reasons for exclusion, is summarized in Figure 1. A total of 58 studies were selected through this process and further analyzed [Sikakulya FK, Ssebuufu R, Mambo SB, Pius T, Kabanyoro A, Kamahoro E, et al. Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: knowledge, attitude and practices. PLoS One 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18-Yigzaw N, Ayalew G, Alemu Y, Tesfaye B, Demilew D. Observational study on hand washing practice during COVID-19 pandemic among bank visitors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 2021 Jul 23;32(6):697-706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]75]. The information and main findings extracted from all included studies is detailed in
Table 2.

Study | Study setting or country | Study type and key measures | Study population | Sample size, N | Adherence or noncompliance rates | Relevant findings |
Sikakulya et al [Sikakulya FK, Ssebuufu R, Mambo SB, Pius T, Kabanyoro A, Kamahoro E, et al. Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: knowledge, attitude and practices. PLoS One 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18], 2021 | Uganda | Cross-sectional; knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding proper use of face masks | Community | 1114 | 51.5% had poor mask use |
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Hailu et al [Hailu W, Derseh L, Hunegnaw MT, Tesfaye T, Angaw DA. Compliance, barriers, and facilitators to social distancing measures for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2021;94:100632 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]20], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional and mixed methods; compliance with social distancing | Community | 401 | Overall, 55.4% had poor compliance with social distancing measures |
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Bakry and Waly [Bakry HM, Waly EH. Perception and practice of social distancing among Egyptians in COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Dev Ctries 2020 Aug 31;14(8):817-822 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]21], 2020 | Egypt | Cross-sectional; perception and practice of social distancing | Community | 1036 | 82% were not strictly practicing social distancing |
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Tadesse et al [Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22], 2020 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; predictors of preventive practices | Community employees | 628 | 68.8% had poor COVID-19 prevention practice |
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Iyamu et al [Iyamu I, Apantaku G, Yesufu Z, Oladele EA, Eboreime E, Afirima B, et al. Is social media, as a main source of information on COVID-19, associated with perceived effectiveness of face mask use? Findings from six sub-Saharan African countries. Glob Health Promot 2022 Sep;29(3):86-96 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]23], 2022 | MCPa—6 countries: Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe | Cross-sectional; face mask use perception and social media | Community | 1988 | —b |
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Bukuluki and Kisaakye [Bukuluki PM, Kisaakye P. The decision to wear a face mask as a protective behavioral measure against COVID-19: survey results from greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda. Front Public Health 2021 Oct 21;9:675734 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]24], 2021 | Uganda | Cross-sectional; face mask wearing in public places | Community | 1054 | 52% and 78% wore face masks sometimes inside in public spaces and always outside in public spaces, respectively |
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Nnama-Okechukwu et al [Nnama-Okechukwu CU, Chukwu NE, Nkechukwu CN. COVID-19 in Nigeria: knowledge and compliance with preventive measures. Soc Work Public Health 2020 Sep 01;35(7):590-602. [CrossRef] [Medline]25], 2020 | Nigeria | Qualitative study; knowledge of and compliance with preventive measures | Community | 36 | — |
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Kajiita and Kang’ethe [Kajiita RM, Kang’ethe SM. Social distancing during the sars-Cov2 (COVID-19) pandemic: interpretations and implication in the African context. Perspect Global Dev Technol 2021 Aug 12;20(3):289-312 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]26], 2021 | 8 African countries | Cross-sectional and qualitative; social distancing perceptions | Community | 20 | — |
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Fodjo et al [Siewe Fodjo JN, Pengpid S, Villela EF, Van Thang V, Ahmed M, Ditekemena J, et al. Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries. J Infect 2020 Sep;81(3):e1-e5 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]27], 2020 | 10 countries; DRCc, Uganda, Mozambique, and Somalia | Multicountry web-based survey; compliance with mask use | General public | 206,729 | Face mask use—DRC: 43.2%; Uganda: 32.7%; Mozambique: 93.9%; Somalia: 51.2% |
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Sewpaul et al [Sewpaul R, Mabaso M, Dukhi N, Naidoo I, Vondo N, Davids AS, et al. Determinants of social distancing among south Africans from 12 days into the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross sectional study. Front Public Health 2021 May 24;9:632619 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]28], 2021 | South Africa | Cross-sectional; compliance with and determinants of social distancing | Community | 17,563 | 20.3% reported having not left home |
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Wondimu et al [Wondimu W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, et al. Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 prevention practices in three zones of southwest Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2020 Dec 18;13:1603-1611 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]29], 2020 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; predictors of preventive practices | Community | 803 | Generally, 59.4% had good prevention practices for COVID-19 |
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Fikrie et al [Fikrie A, Amaje E, Golicha W. Social distancing practice and associated factors in response to COVID-19 pandemic at west Guji zone, southern Ethiopia, 2021: a community based cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Dec 20;16(12):e0261065 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]30], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; social distancing and associated factors | Community | 410 | 38.3% had good social distancing practices |
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Mejjad et al [Mejjad N, Cherif EK, Rodero A, Krawczyk DA, El Kharraz J, Moumen A, et al. Disposal behavior of used masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Moroccan community: potential environmental impact. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Apr 20;18(8):4382 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]31], 2021 | Morocco | Cross-sectional; mask use and disposal behavior | Community | 185 | 70% used face masks at least once a day |
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Burger et al [Burger R, Christian C, English R, Maughan-Brown B, Rossouw L. Predictors of mask-wearing during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from South Africa. Transl Behav Med 2022 Jan 18;12(1):ibab132 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]32], 2022 | South Africa | Longitudinal survey; predictors of mask wearing | Community | 7074 | 74% wore face masks when in public |
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Amuakwa-Mensah et al [Amuakwa-Mensah F, Klege RA, Adom PK, Köhlin G. COVID-19 and handwashing: implications for water use in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water Resour Econ 2021 Oct;36:100189 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]33], 2021 | MCP—12 sub-Saharan African countries | Cross-sectional; handwashing and COVID-19 concerns | Community | 4788 | 54.6% washed their hands for 20 seconds >5 times a day, and 4.2% did not wash their hands at all |
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Szczuka et al [Szczuka Z, Abraham C, Baban A, Brooks S, Cipolletta S, Danso E, et al. The trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic and handwashing adherence: findings from 14 countries. BMC Public Health 2021 Oct 05;21(1):1791 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]19], 2021 | MCP—Gambia | Observational study; handwashing adherence | Community | 6064 | — |
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Iwuoha and Aniche [Iwuoha VC, Aniche ET. COVID-19 lockdown and physical distancing policies are elitist: towards an indigenous (Afro-centred) approach to containing the pandemic in sub-urban slums in Nigeria. Local Environ 2020;25(8):631-640 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]34], 2020 | Nigeria | Cross-sectional and qualitative; impact of physical distancing policies | Slum residents | 49 | — |
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McCreesh et al [McCreesh N, Dlamini V, Edwards A, Olivier S, Dayi N, Dikgale K, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and related social distancing regulations on social contact and SARS-CoV-2 transmission potential in rural south Africa: analysis of repeated cross-sectional surveys. BMC Infect Dis 2021 Sep 08;21(1):928 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]35], 2021 | South Africa | Longitudinal survey; impact of social distancing regulations | Community | 1704 | — |
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De Backer et al [De Backer C, Teunissen L, Cuykx I, Decorte P, Pabian S, Gerritsen S, Corona Cooking Survey Study Group. An evaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived social distancing policies in relation to planning, selecting, and preparing healthy meals: an observational study in 38 countries worldwide. Front Nutr 2021 Feb 04;7:621726 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]36], 2020 | MCP—38 countries; Uganda, South Africa, and Egypt | Cross-sectional; impact of social distancing on healthy meals | Community | 37,207 | — |
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Kim et al [Kim J, Hagen E, Muindi Z, Mbonglou G, Laituri M. An examination of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) accessibility and opportunity in urban informal settlements during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Nairobi, Kenya. Sci Total Environ 2022 Jun 01;823:153398 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]37], 2022 | Kenya | Cross-sectional; WASHd accessibility | Slum dwellers | 647 | — |
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Ag Ahmed et al [Ag Ahmed MA, Ly BA, Diarra NH, Traore FB, Diarra D, Kande IF, et al. Challenges to the implementation and adoption of physical distancing measures against COVID-19 by internally displaced people in Mali: a qualitative study. Confl Health 2021 Dec 04;15(1):88 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]38], 2021 | Mali | Qualitative study; adoption of physical distancing measures | Internally displaced people | 68 | — |
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Mhlanga-Gunda et al [Mhlanga-Gunda R, Rusakaniko S, Chinyuku AN, Pswarayi VF, Robinson CS, Kewley S, et al. "We sleep 10cm apart so there is no social distancing": COVID-19 preparedness in a Zimbabwean prison complex. Int J Prison Health (forthcoming) 2022 Feb 01. [CrossRef] [Medline]39], 2022 | Zimbabwe | Qualitative study; social distancing and prevention measures | Prisoners and staff | 80 | — |
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Assefa et al [Assefa D, Melaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, attitude and self-reported performance and challenges of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Drug Resist 2021 Jan 29;14:303-313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]40], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; knowledge, attitude, practice, and challenges regarding hand hygiene | HCWsf | 96 | 76% had good hand hygiene practices with alcohol-based hand sanitizers |
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Seid Yimer and Gebrehana Belay [Seid Yimer T, Gebrehana Belay H. Knowledge and practice of health care providers towards proper face mask utilization to minimize the extent of COVID-19 infection in Amhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021 Jul 28;14:1583-1591 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]41], 2021 | Ethiopia | Hospital-based cross-sectional study; knowledge and practice of proper face mask use | HCWs | 422 | 59.5% practiced proper mask use |
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Ahmed Sayed et al [Ahmed Sayed A, Mostafa Ahmed M, Talaat Elsayed I, Saeed S, Inas A, Nouran E, et al. Preparedness and attitude toward personal protective equipment among house officers during COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021 Dec 10;43(4):754-762 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]42], 2021 | Egypt | Cross-sectional; preparedness and attitude toward PPE | HCWs | 254 | — |
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Alao et al [Alao MA, Durodola AO, Ibrahim OR, Asinobi OA. Assessment of health workers’ knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and use of personal protective equipment for prevention of COVID-19 infection in low-resource settings. Adv Public Health 2020 Aug 24;2020:1-10 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]43], 2020 | Nigeria | Cross-sectional; knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and use of PPE | HCWs | 272 | — |
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Daghmouri et al [Daghmouri MA, Akremi S, Amouri N, Ouanes S, Jaoua H, Ben Fadhel K. Personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study in frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia. Tunis Med 2020 Aug;98(8-9):633-638. [Medline]44], 2020 | Tunisia | Cross-sectional and institution-based; PPE use | HCWs | 723 | — |
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Kassie et al [Kassie BA, Adane A, Abebe Kassahun E, Ayele AS, Kassahun Belew A. Poor COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Adv Public Health 2020 Oct 16;2020:1-7 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]45], 2020 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; preventive practices | HCWs | 630 | 38.7% (95% CI 34.8%-42.5%) good preventive practice against COVID-19 |
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Keleb et al [Keleb A, Ademas A, Lingerew M, Sisay T, Berihun G, Adane M. Prevention practice of COVID-19 using personal protective equipment and hand hygiene among healthcare workers in public hospitals of south wollo zone, Ethiopia. Front Public Health 2021 Dec 02;9:782705 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]46], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; PPE use and hand hygiene and associated factors | HCWs | 489 | 32% and 22.3% were compliant with PPE use and hand hygiene practice, respectively |
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Birhanu et al [Birhanu A, Balis B, Assebe Yadeta T, Bayu M. Personal protective equipment utilization practice and psychological preparedness of health care workers against COVID-19 pandemic in eastern Ethiopia. SAGE Open Med 2021 Oct 10;9:20503121211051925 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]47], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; PPE use | HCWs | 418 | 37.6% had good practice of PPE use |
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El-Sokkary et al [El-Sokkary RH, Khater WS, El-Kholy A, Mohy Eldin S, Gad DM, Bahgat S, et al. Compliance of healthcare workers to the proper use of personal protective equipment during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Public Health 2021 Oct;14(10):1404-1410 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]48], 2021 | Egypt | Cross-sectional; mask use and compliance | HCWs | 404 | 53.2% were noncompliant with mask use |
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Afemikhe et al [Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49], 2020 | Nigeria | Cross-sectional; transmission-based precaution practices | Nurses | 367 | 85.6% maintained a good level of preventive practices, and 89.1% performed hand hygiene |
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Elhadi et al [Elhadi M, Alsoufi A, Alhadi A, Hmeida A, Alshareea E, Dokali M, et al. Knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of healthcare workers and the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2021 May 20;21(1):955 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]50], 2021 | Libya | Cross-sectional; mask wearing | General population and HCWs | 15,087 | 68.1% had mask wearing adherence | — |
Tabah et al [Tabah A, Ramanan M, Laupland KB, Buetti N, Cortegiani A, Mellinghoff J, PPE-SAFE contributors. Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): an international survey. J Crit Care 2020 Oct;59:70-75 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]51], 2020 | 90 countries; Libya, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia | A cross-sectional, international survey; PPE use | HCWs | 2711 | For routine care, 58% used FFP2 or N95 masks, waterproof long-sleeved gowns (67%), and face shields or visors (62%) |
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Mahmoud et al [Mahmoud MR, Almuaili JA, Shaheen SM, Alatifi MN, Abdelaziz OG, Abdelaziz SG. Comparative study upon using sanitizers and personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic between Saudi and Egyptian health care providers. J Pharm Res Int 2021 Mar 19;33(13):61-73 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]52], 2021 | Egypt and Saudi Arabia | Comparative and cross-sectional; effect of sanitizers and PPE use | HCWs | 428 | — |
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Shadi et al [Shadi MS, Geneid A, Rubin JS, Ibrahim RA. Infection control, hand hygiene practice and PPE use among phoniatricians and ENT specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic, a UEP survey. Egypt J Otolaryngol 2022 Jan 24;38(1):14 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]53], 2022 | MCP that included Egypt | Cross-sectional; PPE use and hand hygiene | HCWs | 154 | 66.9% used N95, N98, or a surgical mask, and 86.4% had good hand hygiene |
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Deressa et al [Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Gizaw M, Amogne W. Availability and use of personal protective equipment and satisfaction of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Arch Public Health 2021 Aug 17;79(1):146 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]54], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; availability and use of PPE and satisfaction with PPE | HCWs | 1134 | — |
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Oladele et al [Oladele DA, Idigbe IE, Musa AZ, Gbaja-Biamila T, Bamidele T, Ohihoin AG, et al. Self-reported use of and access to personal protective equipment among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Heliyon 2021 May;7(5):e07100 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]55], 2021 | Nigeria | Cross-sectional and mixed methods; availability and use of PPE | HCWs | 258 | — |
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Ashour et al [Ashour DM, Elkitkat RS, Gabr H, Yosef M, Singh Grewal D, Saleh MI. Challenges of personal protective equipment use among ophthalmologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicenter international study. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022 May;32(3):1398-1405 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]56], 2021 | MCP—Egypt and Morocco | Cross-sectional; challenges and difficulties of using PPE | Ophthalmologists | 172 | — |
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Foula et al [Foula MS, Nwesar FA, Oraby EH, Foula A, Alarfaj MA, Foula HS, et al. Does wearing personal protective equipment affect the performance and decision of physicians? A cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021 Jul;67:102488 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]57], 2021 | Egypt | Cross-sectional; effect of wearing PPE on performance and decision-making | Physicians | 272 | — |
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Hajjij et al [Hajjij A, Aasfara J, Khalis M, Ouhabi H, Benariba JF, El Kettani C. Personal protective equipment and headaches: cross-sectional study among Moroccan healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Cureus 2020 Dec 13;12(12):e12047 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]58], 2020 | Morocco | Cross-sectional; PPE and headaches | HCWs | 155 | — |
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Nwosu et al [Nwosu AD, Ossai EN, Onwuasoigwe O, Ahaotu F. Oxygen saturation and perceived discomfort with face mask types, in the era of COVID-19: a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Pan Afr Med J 2021 Jul 16;39:203 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]59], 2021 | Nigeria | Cross-sectional; impact of different face masks on comfort | HCWs | 66 | — |
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Marraha et al [Marraha F, Al Faker I, Charif F, Chahoub H, Benyamna Y, Rahmani N, et al. Skin reactions to personal protective equipment among first-line COVID-19 healthcare workers: a survey in northern Morocco. Ann Work Expo Health 2021 Oct 09;65(8):998-1003 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]60], 2021 | Morocco | Cross-sectional; skin reactions to PPE use | HCWs | 273 | — |
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Jazieh et al [Jazieh AR, Benbrahim Z, Al-Sukhun S, Abusanad AM, Alorabi MO, El Kinge AR, et al. 1717P behavioral practices of cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a middle east and north Africa study. Ann Oncol 2020 Sep;31:S1009 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]61], 2020 | 6 countries; Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco | Multicountry survey; behavioral response | Patients with cancer | 1012 | Adherence to handwashing (77%), keeping distance from others (67%), mask use (77%), and hand hygiene with hand sanitizer (69%) and soap (81%) |
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Andarge et al [Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62], 2020 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional and facility-based; intention and practice of PPMsh | Adults with chronic conditions | 806 | 52% and 76.3% intended to practice and had ever practiced PPMs |
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Mostafa and Hegazy [Mostafa PI, Hegazy AA. Dermatological consultations in the COVID-19 era: is teledermatology the key to social distancing? An Egyptian experience. J Dermatolog Treat 2022 Mar;33(2):910-915. [CrossRef] [Medline]63], 2020 | Egypt | Cross-sectional, observational study | Patients of dermatology | 62 | — |
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Larebo and Abame [Larebo YM, Abame DE. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic among wachemo university students, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0257609 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]64], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; face mask use and associated factors | University students | 764 | 89.5% had good practice of face mask use |
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Nalunkuma et al [Nalunkuma R, Abila DB, Ssewante N, Kiyimba B, Kigozi E, Kisuza RK, et al. Double face mask use for COVID-19 infection prevention and control among medical students at Makerere university: a cross-section survey. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022 Jan 20;15:111-120 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]65], 2022 | Uganda | Cross-sectional; patterns of double mask use | Medical students | 348 | Only 20.5% reported double masking |
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Aronu et al [Aronu AE, Chinawa JM, Nduagubam OC, Ossai EN, Chinawa AT, Igwe WC. Maternal perception of masking in children as a preventive strategy for COVID-19 in Nigeria: a multicentre study. PLoS One 2020 Nov 19;15(11):e0242650 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]66], 2020 | Nigeria | Cross-sectional; perception of masking in children | Mothers | 387 | — |
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Haftom and Petrucka [Haftom M, Petrucka PM. Determinants of face mask utilization to prevent COVID-19 pandemic among quarantined adults in Tigrai region, northern Ethiopia, 2020. Clin Nurs Res 2021 Sep;30(7):1107-1112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]67], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; face mask use | Quarantined adults | 331 | 46% did not wear a face mask when leaving home |
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Deressa et al [Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Getachew S, Amogne W. Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021 Sep 07;16(9):e0257112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]68], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; social distancing and preventive measures | Government employees | 1573 | 96% wore face masks, 94.5% practiced frequent handwashing, and 89.5% practiced physical distancing |
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Dzisi and Dei [Dzisi EK, Dei OA. Adherence to social distancing and wearing of masks within public transportation during the COVID 19 pandemic. Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect 2020 Sep;7:100191 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]69], 2020 | Ghana | Cross-sectional, roadside observer survey; adherence to social distancing and mask use | Commuters | 850 | 98% of buses complied with the social distancing guidelines |
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Agyemang et al [Agyemang E, Agyei-Mensah S, Kyere-Gyeabour E. Face mask use among commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Accra, Ghana. J Community Health 2021 Dec;46(6):1226-1235 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]70], 2021 | Ghana | Cross-sectional; perception and mask use | Commercial drivers | 500 | — |
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Natnael et al [Natnael T, Adane M, Alemnew Y, Andualem A, Hailu F. COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers and associated factors in urban areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0253452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]71], 2021 | Ethiopia | Cross-sectional; knowledge, attitude, and frequent hand hygiene practices | Taxi drivers | 417 | 66.4% had good frequent hand hygiene practices |
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Mboowa et al [Mboowa G, Musoke D, Bulafu D, Aruhomukama D. Face-masking, an acceptable protective measure against COVID-19 in Ugandan high-risk groups. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Dec 14;104(2):502-513 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]72], 2021 | Uganda | Cross-sectional; knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding face mask use | High-risk groups | 644 | — |
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Fielmua et al [Fielmua N, Guba BY, Mwingyine DT. Hand hygiene and safety behaviours at shopping centres in COVID-19: an observation in Wa township in Ghana. J Water Sanit Hyg Dev 2021;11(3):442-452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]73], 2021 | Ghana | Cross-sectional, observational study; hand hygiene and safety behaviors | Shoppers and shopkeepers | 751 | 91.3% of the customers did not practice handwashing, and 84.2% did not wear face masks |
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Ameme et al [Ameme DK, Odikro MA, Baidoo A, Dsane-Aidoo P, Nuvey FS, Jackson DG, et al. Hand hygiene and face mask wearing practices for COVID-19 prevention: a non-intrusive observation of patrons of community convenience shops in Accra, Ghana. Pan Afr Med J 2021 Dec 01;40:195 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]74], 2021 | Ghana | Observational study; hand hygiene and face mask wearing practices | Shop patrons | 800 | 81.6% wore face masks, 12.3% performed hand hygiene, and 11.5% adhered to both measures |
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Yigzaw et al [Yigzaw N, Ayalew G, Alemu Y, Tesfaye B, Demilew D. Observational study on hand washing practice during COVID-19 pandemic among bank visitors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 2021 Jul 23;32(6):697-706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]75], 2021 | Ethiopia | Observational cross-sectional study; handwashing practice | Bank visitors | 415 | — |
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aMCP: multicountry paper.
bNot available.
cDRC: Democratic Republic of the Congo.
dWASH: water, sanitation, and hygiene.
ePPE: personal protective equipment.
fHCW: health care worker.
gFFP2: filtering face piece 2.
hPPM: personal protective measure.
Distribution and Characteristics of the Studies
Of the 58 analyzed studies that primarily reported on PPMs against COVID-19 in Africa, 47 (81%) were single-country studies and were conducted in only 12 of the 54 African countries, whereas the remaining 11 (19%) involved multiple countries (Figure 2). Of the single-country studies, 36% (21/58) were from East Africa, 21% (12/58) were from West Africa, 17% (10/58) were from North Africa, 7% (4/58) were from Southern Africa, and none were from Central Africa. Ethiopia (16/58, 28%), Nigeria (7/58, 12%), and Egypt (5/58, 9%) were the top contributors and altogether produced 48% (28/58) of the analyzed studies. Thus, no single-country studies regarding COVID-19 PPMs had been conducted in 42 African countries at the time of our literature search (
Figure 2).
The 58 analyzed studies included 51 (88%) quantitative studies, 5 (9%) qualitative studies, and 2 (3%) mixed methods studies, and their sample sizes ranged from 20 to 206,729. The 4 themes were represented as follows: knowledge and perception of PPMs (21/58, 36%), mask use (37/58, 64%), physical and social distancing (17/58, 29%), and handwashing and hand hygiene (19/58, 33%), considering that most studies covered more than one theme. Moreover, 34% (20/58) of the analyzed studies were conducted among health care workers (HCWs), 33% (19/58) were conducted among the general public, 5% (3/58) were conducted among patients with comorbidities, 3% (2/58) were conducted among university students, and 22% (13/58) were conducted among other groups. The studies were published between 2019 and 2022, and their overall quality was generally good, meaning that the included studies satisfied most of the criteria. However, lower scores on item 4 (nonresponse bias) and item 5 (appropriateness of statistical methods used) were noted among several quantitative studies (9/51, 18% and 13/51, 26%, respectively), with a similar trend observed among qualitative studies, as detailed in Quality assessment of the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool—version 2018.Multimedia Appendix 2

Knowledge and Perception of PPMs and Associated Factors
The results of the knowledge and perception of PPMs and other domains are summarized and presented in Table 3. Among the general public, higher rates of knowledge of COVID-19 preventive measures (>60%) were reported in Western Uganda [Sikakulya FK, Ssebuufu R, Mambo SB, Pius T, Kabanyoro A, Kamahoro E, et al. Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: knowledge, attitude and practices. PLoS One 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18] and Northwest Ethiopia [Hailu W, Derseh L, Hunegnaw MT, Tesfaye T, Angaw DA. Compliance, barriers, and facilitators to social distancing measures for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2021;94:100632 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]20]. Higher rates of good attitudes and perceptions were also reported in Western Uganda [Sikakulya FK, Ssebuufu R, Mambo SB, Pius T, Kabanyoro A, Kamahoro E, et al. Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: knowledge, attitude and practices. PLoS One 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18] and Egypt [Bakry HM, Waly EH. Perception and practice of social distancing among Egyptians in COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Dev Ctries 2020 Aug 31;14(8):817-822 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]21], but a lower rate of perceived benefits of preventive measures was reported in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22]. Similar findings of good perception were also reported in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area of Uganda and in other 6 countries (Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), where a great majority of the residents believed that face masks were effective against COVID-19 spread and infection [Iyamu I, Apantaku G, Yesufu Z, Oladele EA, Eboreime E, Afirima B, et al. Is social media, as a main source of information on COVID-19, associated with perceived effectiveness of face mask use? Findings from six sub-Saharan African countries. Glob Health Promot 2022 Sep;29(3):86-96 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]23,Bukuluki PM, Kisaakye P. The decision to wear a face mask as a protective behavioral measure against COVID-19: survey results from greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda. Front Public Health 2021 Oct 21;9:675734 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]24]. However, most individuals in Nigeria believed that COVID-19 was more of a hoax than a reality, and in several countries, preventive measures such as social distancing and face masking were perceived as imported policies that negatively affected their compliance with preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease [Nnama-Okechukwu CU, Chukwu NE, Nkechukwu CN. COVID-19 in Nigeria: knowledge and compliance with preventive measures. Soc Work Public Health 2020 Sep 01;35(7):590-602. [CrossRef] [Medline]25,Kajiita RM, Kang’ethe SM. Social distancing during the sars-Cov2 (COVID-19) pandemic: interpretations and implication in the African context. Perspect Global Dev Technol 2021 Aug 12;20(3):289-312 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]26].
Knowledge and perceptions of PPMs | Face mask use | Social and physical distancing | Handwashing and hand hygiene | ||
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aPPE: personal protective equipment.
bNot available.
Among African HCWs, higher rates of knowledge and attitude regarding the use of PPE were reported in Ethiopia [Assefa D, Melaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, attitude and self-reported performance and challenges of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Drug Resist 2021 Jan 29;14:303-313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]40,Seid Yimer T, Gebrehana Belay H. Knowledge and practice of health care providers towards proper face mask utilization to minimize the extent of COVID-19 infection in Amhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021 Jul 28;14:1583-1591 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]41] and Egypt [Ahmed Sayed A, Mostafa Ahmed M, Talaat Elsayed I, Saeed S, Inas A, Nouran E, et al. Preparedness and attitude toward personal protective equipment among house officers during COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021 Dec 10;43(4):754-762 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]42]. However, a lower knowledge rate of PPE use (<30%) was reported in Nigeria, and in the early stages of the pandemic, a large number of frontline HCWs in Tunisia had not received official training on the correct use of PPE as many believed that they needed additional training [Daghmouri MA, Akremi S, Amouri N, Ouanes S, Jaoua H, Ben Fadhel K. Personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study in frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia. Tunis Med 2020 Aug;98(8-9):633-638. [Medline]44]. In Egypt, although a substantial proportion (>80%) of house officers (fresh medical graduates doing their 1-year training in different specialties) had good PPE attitudes, <30% had good preparedness and willingness to participate in COVID-19 management and care [Ahmed Sayed A, Mostafa Ahmed M, Talaat Elsayed I, Saeed S, Inas A, Nouran E, et al. Preparedness and attitude toward personal protective equipment among house officers during COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021 Dec 10;43(4):754-762 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]42].
Among other groups, only 3% of patients with chronic conditions such as cancer in Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco knew someone who had a COVID-19 infection, but most were worried about contracting the virus [Jazieh AR, Benbrahim Z, Al-Sukhun S, Abusanad AM, Alorabi MO, El Kinge AR, et al. 1717P behavioral practices of cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a middle east and north Africa study. Ann Oncol 2020 Sep;31:S1009 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]61]. In Ethiopia, although university students had higher rates (>85%) of good attitude toward face mask use, their overall knowledge about mask use was very low (<30%) [Larebo YM, Abame DE. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic among wachemo university students, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0257609 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]64], which contrasts with medical students in Uganda with a better knowledge rate and where close to 70% agreed on the superiority of double masking over single masking for COVID-19 prevention and control [Nalunkuma R, Abila DB, Ssewante N, Kiyimba B, Kigozi E, Kisuza RK, et al. Double face mask use for COVID-19 infection prevention and control among medical students at Makerere university: a cross-section survey. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022 Jan 20;15:111-120 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]65]. In Nigeria, >50% of mothers perceived masking in children as not an appropriate preventive measure against COVID-19 because of the perceived difficulty in breathing and discomfort among children [Aronu AE, Chinawa JM, Nduagubam OC, Ossai EN, Chinawa AT, Igwe WC. Maternal perception of masking in children as a preventive strategy for COVID-19 in Nigeria: a multicentre study. PLoS One 2020 Nov 19;15(11):e0242650 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]66]. Notably, government employees in Ethiopia were reported to have higher rates of good perception of COVID-19 PPMs, whereby approximately 80% perceived consistent mask wearing as highly effective against COVID-19 spread and infection [Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Getachew S, Amogne W. Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021 Sep 07;16(9):e0257112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]68]. High COVID-19 vulnerability perception was also reported among commercial drivers in Ghana, mostly among older drivers, who consistently wore face masks and insisted on other persons in their vehicles doing the same [Agyemang E, Agyei-Mensah S, Kyere-Gyeabour E. Face mask use among commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Accra, Ghana. J Community Health 2021 Dec;46(6):1226-1235 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]70]. Similar findings were reported among Ethiopian drivers who had good knowledge and positive attitudes [Natnael T, Adane M, Alemnew Y, Andualem A, Hailu F. COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers and associated factors in urban areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0253452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]71]. Furthermore, most of the high-risk individuals in Uganda, including market vendors, had received information on face mask use and believed that face masks were protective against COVID-19. Moreover, those who had received information on face mask use were more likely to own face masks and perceive them as protective despite market vendors being more likely to reuse face masks than hospital workers [Mboowa G, Musoke D, Bulafu D, Aruhomukama D. Face-masking, an acceptable protective measure against COVID-19 in Ugandan high-risk groups. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Dec 14;104(2):502-513 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]72].
As possible predictors, educational level, age, income, residence, frequency of PPE practice, PPE attitude, social media exposure, and perceived threat were associated with knowledge and perception of PPMs among the general population, HCWs, and other groups (taxi drivers and government employees) [Sikakulya FK, Ssebuufu R, Mambo SB, Pius T, Kabanyoro A, Kamahoro E, et al. Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: knowledge, attitude and practices. PLoS One 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18,Iyamu I, Apantaku G, Yesufu Z, Oladele EA, Eboreime E, Afirima B, et al. Is social media, as a main source of information on COVID-19, associated with perceived effectiveness of face mask use? Findings from six sub-Saharan African countries. Glob Health Promot 2022 Sep;29(3):86-96 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]23,Bukuluki PM, Kisaakye P. The decision to wear a face mask as a protective behavioral measure against COVID-19: survey results from greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda. Front Public Health 2021 Oct 21;9:675734 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]24,Ahmed Sayed A, Mostafa Ahmed M, Talaat Elsayed I, Saeed S, Inas A, Nouran E, et al. Preparedness and attitude toward personal protective equipment among house officers during COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021 Dec 10;43(4):754-762 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]42,Alao MA, Durodola AO, Ibrahim OR, Asinobi OA. Assessment of health workers’ knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and use of personal protective equipment for prevention of COVID-19 infection in low-resource settings. Adv Public Health 2020 Aug 24;2020:1-10 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]43,Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Getachew S, Amogne W. Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021 Sep 07;16(9):e0257112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]68,Agyemang E, Agyei-Mensah S, Kyere-Gyeabour E. Face mask use among commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Accra, Ghana. J Community Health 2021 Dec;46(6):1226-1235 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]70,Natnael T, Adane M, Alemnew Y, Andualem A, Hailu F. COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers and associated factors in urban areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0253452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]71]. Moreover, practice location was notably significantly associated among HCWs [Alao MA, Durodola AO, Ibrahim OR, Asinobi OA. Assessment of health workers’ knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and use of personal protective equipment for prevention of COVID-19 infection in low-resource settings. Adv Public Health 2020 Aug 24;2020:1-10 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]43] (Table 3).
Mask Use and Associated Factors
Among the general public, largely lower adherence rates (range 20.3%-59.4%) of face mask use were reported in various African countries, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia [Sikakulya FK, Ssebuufu R, Mambo SB, Pius T, Kabanyoro A, Kamahoro E, et al. Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: knowledge, attitude and practices. PLoS One 2021 Mar 24;16(3):e0248706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]18,Siewe Fodjo JN, Pengpid S, Villela EF, Van Thang V, Ahmed M, Ditekemena J, et al. Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries. J Infect 2020 Sep;81(3):e1-e5 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]27], and Ethiopia [Hailu W, Derseh L, Hunegnaw MT, Tesfaye T, Angaw DA. Compliance, barriers, and facilitators to social distancing measures for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2021;94:100632 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]20,Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22,Wondimu W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, et al. Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 prevention practices in three zones of southwest Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2020 Dec 18;13:1603-1611 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]29]. Notably, adherence rates to mask use were reported to be higher (>60%) after the lifting of lockdown restrictions and in countries where mask use was mandatory, such as Mozambique [Siewe Fodjo JN, Pengpid S, Villela EF, Van Thang V, Ahmed M, Ditekemena J, et al. Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries. J Infect 2020 Sep;81(3):e1-e5 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]27], Uganda [Bukuluki PM, Kisaakye P. The decision to wear a face mask as a protective behavioral measure against COVID-19: survey results from greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda. Front Public Health 2021 Oct 21;9:675734 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]24], Morocco [Mejjad N, Cherif EK, Rodero A, Krawczyk DA, El Kharraz J, Moumen A, et al. Disposal behavior of used masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Moroccan community: potential environmental impact. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Apr 20;18(8):4382 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]31], and South Africa [Burger R, Christian C, English R, Maughan-Brown B, Rossouw L. Predictors of mask-wearing during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from South Africa. Transl Behav Med 2022 Jan 18;12(1):ibab132 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]32]. In addition, reusable cloth masks, which are more cost-beneficial and environmentally friendly, were the most used mask type [Siewe Fodjo JN, Pengpid S, Villela EF, Van Thang V, Ahmed M, Ditekemena J, et al. Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries. J Infect 2020 Sep;81(3):e1-e5 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]27]. Interestingly, in South Africa, the prevalence of close others’ mask wearing was reported to affect mask use, and older adults had poor mask use practices despite having a higher mortality risk [Burger R, Christian C, English R, Maughan-Brown B, Rossouw L. Predictors of mask-wearing during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from South Africa. Transl Behav Med 2022 Jan 18;12(1):ibab132 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]32]. In addition, the prevalence of mask wearing was noted to have increased substantially (50% to 74%) from May 2020 to August 2020 as COVID-19 cases increased and lockdown restrictions were eased, but staying at home, physical distancing, and social distancing decreased [Burger R, Christian C, English R, Maughan-Brown B, Rossouw L. Predictors of mask-wearing during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from South Africa. Transl Behav Med 2022 Jan 18;12(1):ibab132 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]32]. Regarding used mask disposal, poor disposal practices were reported in several African countries, including Morocco, where most threw their used masks and gloves in their house trash or trash bins, posing a transmission risk to sanitary workers or stray animals [Mejjad N, Cherif EK, Rodero A, Krawczyk DA, El Kharraz J, Moumen A, et al. Disposal behavior of used masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Moroccan community: potential environmental impact. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Apr 20;18(8):4382 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]31].
Among HCWs, varying rates of PPE use were reported in different regions and countries. Generally, lower rates (<60%) were reported in the Northwest [Kassie BA, Adane A, Abebe Kassahun E, Ayele AS, Kassahun Belew A. Poor COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Adv Public Health 2020 Oct 16;2020:1-7 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]45], Northeast [Keleb A, Ademas A, Lingerew M, Sisay T, Berihun G, Adane M. Prevention practice of COVID-19 using personal protective equipment and hand hygiene among healthcare workers in public hospitals of south wollo zone, Ethiopia. Front Public Health 2021 Dec 02;9:782705 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]46], Eastern [Birhanu A, Balis B, Assebe Yadeta T, Bayu M. Personal protective equipment utilization practice and psychological preparedness of health care workers against COVID-19 pandemic in eastern Ethiopia. SAGE Open Med 2021 Oct 10;9:20503121211051925 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]47], and Amhara regions [Seid Yimer T, Gebrehana Belay H. Knowledge and practice of health care providers towards proper face mask utilization to minimize the extent of COVID-19 infection in Amhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021 Jul 28;14:1583-1591 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]41] of Ethiopia, as well as in Egypt [El-Sokkary RH, Khater WS, El-Kholy A, Mohy Eldin S, Gad DM, Bahgat S, et al. Compliance of healthcare workers to the proper use of personal protective equipment during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Public Health 2021 Oct;14(10):1404-1410 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]48]. Nevertheless, higher rates (>60%) were reported in Nigeria [Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49], Libya [Elhadi M, Alsoufi A, Alhadi A, Hmeida A, Alshareea E, Dokali M, et al. Knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of healthcare workers and the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2021 May 20;21(1):955 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]50], and 3 multicountry surveys [Tabah A, Ramanan M, Laupland KB, Buetti N, Cortegiani A, Mellinghoff J, PPE-SAFE contributors. Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): an international survey. J Crit Care 2020 Oct;59:70-75 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]51-Shadi MS, Geneid A, Rubin JS, Ibrahim RA. Infection control, hand hygiene practice and PPE use among phoniatricians and ENT specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic, a UEP survey. Egypt J Otolaryngol 2022 Jan 24;38(1):14 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]53]. The main challenges reported were inadequate PPE and side effects. The lack of PPE and, thus, the reuse of single-use PPE, especially facial protective shields and masks, were reported in several African countries, including Tunisia [Daghmouri MA, Akremi S, Amouri N, Ouanes S, Jaoua H, Ben Fadhel K. Personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study in frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia. Tunis Med 2020 Aug;98(8-9):633-638. [Medline]44], Ethiopia [Assefa D, Melaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, attitude and self-reported performance and challenges of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Drug Resist 2021 Jan 29;14:303-313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]40,Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Gizaw M, Amogne W. Availability and use of personal protective equipment and satisfaction of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Arch Public Health 2021 Aug 17;79(1):146 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]54], Egypt [El-Sokkary RH, Khater WS, El-Kholy A, Mohy Eldin S, Gad DM, Bahgat S, et al. Compliance of healthcare workers to the proper use of personal protective equipment during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Public Health 2021 Oct;14(10):1404-1410 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]48], and Nigeria [Oladele DA, Idigbe IE, Musa AZ, Gbaja-Biamila T, Bamidele T, Ohihoin AG, et al. Self-reported use of and access to personal protective equipment among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Heliyon 2021 May;7(5):e07100 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]55], and in a multicountry survey including 4 North African countries [Tabah A, Ramanan M, Laupland KB, Buetti N, Cortegiani A, Mellinghoff J, PPE-SAFE contributors. Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): an international survey. J Crit Care 2020 Oct;59:70-75 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]51].
Several side effects because of the use of PPE were also reported among African HCWs, including skin problems; heat; thirst; pressure areas; headaches; inability to use the bathroom; extreme exhaustion; discomfort; and reduced vision, concentration, and performance during or after wearing PPE [Assefa D, Melaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, attitude and self-reported performance and challenges of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Drug Resist 2021 Jan 29;14:303-313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]40,Daghmouri MA, Akremi S, Amouri N, Ouanes S, Jaoua H, Ben Fadhel K. Personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study in frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia. Tunis Med 2020 Aug;98(8-9):633-638. [Medline]44,Tabah A, Ramanan M, Laupland KB, Buetti N, Cortegiani A, Mellinghoff J, PPE-SAFE contributors. Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): an international survey. J Crit Care 2020 Oct;59:70-75 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]51,Ashour DM, Elkitkat RS, Gabr H, Yosef M, Singh Grewal D, Saleh MI. Challenges of personal protective equipment use among ophthalmologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicenter international study. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022 May;32(3):1398-1405 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]56-Marraha F, Al Faker I, Charif F, Chahoub H, Benyamna Y, Rahmani N, et al. Skin reactions to personal protective equipment among first-line COVID-19 healthcare workers: a survey in northern Morocco. Ann Work Expo Health 2021 Oct 09;65(8):998-1003 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]60]. Moreover, such side effects were associated with longer shift durations, the frequency of use, and medical specialty [Tabah A, Ramanan M, Laupland KB, Buetti N, Cortegiani A, Mellinghoff J, PPE-SAFE contributors. Personal protective equipment and intensive care unit healthcare worker safety in the COVID-19 era (PPE-SAFE): an international survey. J Crit Care 2020 Oct;59:70-75 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]51,Hajjij A, Aasfara J, Khalis M, Ouhabi H, Benariba JF, El Kettani C. Personal protective equipment and headaches: cross-sectional study among Moroccan healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Cureus 2020 Dec 13;12(12):e12047 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]58-Marraha F, Al Faker I, Charif F, Chahoub H, Benyamna Y, Rahmani N, et al. Skin reactions to personal protective equipment among first-line COVID-19 healthcare workers: a survey in northern Morocco. Ann Work Expo Health 2021 Oct 09;65(8):998-1003 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]60], and the most affected body areas from wearing PPE were the hands, the auricular area, the nasal bridge, the cheeks, and the whole face [Mahmoud MR, Almuaili JA, Shaheen SM, Alatifi MN, Abdelaziz OG, Abdelaziz SG. Comparative study upon using sanitizers and personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic between Saudi and Egyptian health care providers. J Pharm Res Int 2021 Mar 19;33(13):61-73 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]52]. Notably, the most reported adverse reactions particularly because of using sanitizers were skin dryness, skin irritation, and ocular irritation [Assefa D, Melaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, attitude and self-reported performance and challenges of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Drug Resist 2021 Jan 29;14:303-313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]40,Mahmoud MR, Almuaili JA, Shaheen SM, Alatifi MN, Abdelaziz OG, Abdelaziz SG. Comparative study upon using sanitizers and personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic between Saudi and Egyptian health care providers. J Pharm Res Int 2021 Mar 19;33(13):61-73 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]52]. Moreover, bleach immersion was reported to be highly associated with hand reactions, whereas hand cream use more than twice daily was associated with fewer reactions [Marraha F, Al Faker I, Charif F, Chahoub H, Benyamna Y, Rahmani N, et al. Skin reactions to personal protective equipment among first-line COVID-19 healthcare workers: a survey in northern Morocco. Ann Work Expo Health 2021 Oct 09;65(8):998-1003 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]60]. In contrast, a recent multicountry survey that included Egypt indicated that >70% of HCWs had all the PPE and protective measures they needed, >60% had been recently educated on COVID-19 infection control, and none of the interviewed HCWs refrained from using face masks [Shadi MS, Geneid A, Rubin JS, Ibrahim RA. Infection control, hand hygiene practice and PPE use among phoniatricians and ENT specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic, a UEP survey. Egypt J Otolaryngol 2022 Jan 24;38(1):14 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]53].
Among other population groups, strict adherence to face mask use in public areas was reported among patients with cancer in a multicountry survey that included Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco [Jazieh AR, Benbrahim Z, Al-Sukhun S, Abusanad AM, Alorabi MO, El Kinge AR, et al. 1717P behavioral practices of cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a middle east and north Africa study. Ann Oncol 2020 Sep;31:S1009 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]61]. In Ethiopia, >50% of adults with chronic conditions intended to practice and had ever practiced the recommended personal preventive measures against COVID-19 [Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62]. University students in Ethiopia were reported to have a higher adherence rate (>80%) of mask use [Larebo YM, Abame DE. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic among wachemo university students, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0257609 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]64]. Furthermore, approximately 20% of medical students in Uganda practiced double masking, where the lack of trust in the quality of masks was the most compelling factor for double masking [Nalunkuma R, Abila DB, Ssewante N, Kiyimba B, Kigozi E, Kisuza RK, et al. Double face mask use for COVID-19 infection prevention and control among medical students at Makerere university: a cross-section survey. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022 Jan 20;15:111-120 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]65]. Nonetheless, excessive sweating, the high cost of face masks, and difficulty in breathing were the major barriers to double masking among these medical students [Nalunkuma R, Abila DB, Ssewante N, Kiyimba B, Kigozi E, Kisuza RK, et al. Double face mask use for COVID-19 infection prevention and control among medical students at Makerere university: a cross-section survey. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022 Jan 20;15:111-120 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]65]. Moreover, poor adherence to mask use was highlighted among quarantined individuals in Ethiopia, where nearly half of them did not wear a face mask when leaving home [Haftom M, Petrucka PM. Determinants of face mask utilization to prevent COVID-19 pandemic among quarantined adults in Tigrai region, northern Ethiopia, 2020. Clin Nurs Res 2021 Sep;30(7):1107-1112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]67]. However, high rates (>80%) of mask use were documented among government employees in Ethiopia [Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Getachew S, Amogne W. Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021 Sep 07;16(9):e0257112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]68]. Similar findings of high mask use (>70%) were also observed among taxi drivers [Agyemang E, Agyei-Mensah S, Kyere-Gyeabour E. Face mask use among commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Accra, Ghana. J Community Health 2021 Dec;46(6):1226-1235 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]70] and patrons of convenience shops in Ghana [Ameme DK, Odikro MA, Baidoo A, Dsane-Aidoo P, Nuvey FS, Jackson DG, et al. Hand hygiene and face mask wearing practices for COVID-19 prevention: a non-intrusive observation of patrons of community convenience shops in Accra, Ghana. Pan Afr Med J 2021 Dec 01;40:195 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]74] but with contrasting observations among commuters and in shopping centers, where less compliance with face mask use was reported [Dzisi EK, Dei OA. Adherence to social distancing and wearing of masks within public transportation during the COVID 19 pandemic. Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect 2020 Sep;7:100191 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]69,Fielmua N, Guba BY, Mwingyine DT. Hand hygiene and safety behaviours at shopping centres in COVID-19: an observation in Wa township in Ghana. J Water Sanit Hyg Dev 2021;11(3):442-452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]73].
Adherence to mask use was associated with gender, age, educational level, marital status, working status, profession, place or community of residence, knowledge and attitude, history of having COVID-19, perceived benefit, strictness of containment and health policies, subjective norms, perceived risk, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy among the general public, HCWs, and other groups (Table 3) [Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22,Siewe Fodjo JN, Pengpid S, Villela EF, Van Thang V, Ahmed M, Ditekemena J, et al. Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries. J Infect 2020 Sep;81(3):e1-e5 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]27,Wondimu W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, et al. Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 prevention practices in three zones of southwest Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2020 Dec 18;13:1603-1611 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]29,Burger R, Christian C, English R, Maughan-Brown B, Rossouw L. Predictors of mask-wearing during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from South Africa. Transl Behav Med 2022 Jan 18;12(1):ibab132 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]32,Daghmouri MA, Akremi S, Amouri N, Ouanes S, Jaoua H, Ben Fadhel K. Personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study in frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia. Tunis Med 2020 Aug;98(8-9):633-638. [Medline]44-Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49,Oladele DA, Idigbe IE, Musa AZ, Gbaja-Biamila T, Bamidele T, Ohihoin AG, et al. Self-reported use of and access to personal protective equipment among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Heliyon 2021 May;7(5):e07100 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]55,Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62,Larebo YM, Abame DE. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic among wachemo university students, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0257609 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]64,Nalunkuma R, Abila DB, Ssewante N, Kiyimba B, Kigozi E, Kisuza RK, et al. Double face mask use for COVID-19 infection prevention and control among medical students at Makerere university: a cross-section survey. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022 Jan 20;15:111-120 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]65,Haftom M, Petrucka PM. Determinants of face mask utilization to prevent COVID-19 pandemic among quarantined adults in Tigrai region, northern Ethiopia, 2020. Clin Nurs Res 2021 Sep;30(7):1107-1112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]67,Agyemang E, Agyei-Mensah S, Kyere-Gyeabour E. Face mask use among commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Accra, Ghana. J Community Health 2021 Dec;46(6):1226-1235 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]70]. Moreover, work experience, medical specialty (being a nurse or midwifery professional), hours of work, previous training on COVID-19 prevention and PPE use, having COVID-19 management guidelines, and ease and safety when using standard precautions were outstanding predictors among HCWs [Daghmouri MA, Akremi S, Amouri N, Ouanes S, Jaoua H, Ben Fadhel K. Personal protective equipment: a cross-sectional study in frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia. Tunis Med 2020 Aug;98(8-9):633-638. [Medline]44-Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49,Oladele DA, Idigbe IE, Musa AZ, Gbaja-Biamila T, Bamidele T, Ohihoin AG, et al. Self-reported use of and access to personal protective equipment among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Heliyon 2021 May;7(5):e07100 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]55], and the field of study was a strong predictor of mask use among university students [Larebo YM, Abame DE. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic among wachemo university students, southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0257609 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]64]. Surprisingly, mask use among children in Nigeria was highly dependent on the mother’s opinions and characteristics, whereby it was associated with the mother’s age, the age of the child, and the parental level of education [Aronu AE, Chinawa JM, Nduagubam OC, Ossai EN, Chinawa AT, Igwe WC. Maternal perception of masking in children as a preventive strategy for COVID-19 in Nigeria: a multicentre study. PLoS One 2020 Nov 19;15(11):e0242650 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]66].
Social and Physical Distancing and Associated Factors
Generally, lower adherence rates (range 18%-59%) of social distancing were reported in various African countries, including Egypt [Bakry HM, Waly EH. Perception and practice of social distancing among Egyptians in COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Dev Ctries 2020 Aug 31;14(8):817-822 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]21], South Africa [Sewpaul R, Mabaso M, Dukhi N, Naidoo I, Vondo N, Davids AS, et al. Determinants of social distancing among south Africans from 12 days into the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross sectional study. Front Public Health 2021 May 24;9:632619 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]28], and Ethiopia [Hailu W, Derseh L, Hunegnaw MT, Tesfaye T, Angaw DA. Compliance, barriers, and facilitators to social distancing measures for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2021;94:100632 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]20,Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22,Wondimu W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, et al. Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 prevention practices in three zones of southwest Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2020 Dec 18;13:1603-1611 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]29,Fikrie A, Amaje E, Golicha W. Social distancing practice and associated factors in response to COVID-19 pandemic at west Guji zone, southern Ethiopia, 2021: a community based cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Dec 20;16(12):e0261065 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]30]. Nonetheless, physical distancing policies disrupted social life and infringed on people’s sociocultural rights, causing adverse socioeconomic and health consequences, especially for low-income urban or suburban slum dwellers [Kajiita RM, Kang’ethe SM. Social distancing during the sars-Cov2 (COVID-19) pandemic: interpretations and implication in the African context. Perspect Global Dev Technol 2021 Aug 12;20(3):289-312 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]26,Iwuoha VC, Aniche ET. COVID-19 lockdown and physical distancing policies are elitist: towards an indigenous (Afro-centred) approach to containing the pandemic in sub-urban slums in Nigeria. Local Environ 2020;25(8):631-640 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]34]. Although the imposition of COVID-19 distancing regulations led to a substantial decrease in extrahousehold social contacts (close physical and conversational contacts) in several African countries, including South Africa, there was ongoing contact within intergenerational households, highlighting a potential limitation of social distancing measures in protecting older adults [McCreesh N, Dlamini V, Edwards A, Olivier S, Dayi N, Dikgale K, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and related social distancing regulations on social contact and SARS-CoV-2 transmission potential in rural south Africa: analysis of repeated cross-sectional surveys. BMC Infect Dis 2021 Sep 08;21(1):928 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]35]. In contrast, such restrictive policies improved feeding habits through increased meal planning and selection and preparation of healthy foods among residents of various countries [De Backer C, Teunissen L, Cuykx I, Decorte P, Pabian S, Gerritsen S, Corona Cooking Survey Study Group. An evaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived social distancing policies in relation to planning, selecting, and preparing healthy meals: an observational study in 38 countries worldwide. Front Nutr 2021 Feb 04;7:621726 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]36].
Regarding the implementation and adoption of physical distancing measures, despite the implementation of various mitigation measures, the internally displaced people in Mali still faced several challenges, including the proximity in which internally displaced people live, the lack of toilets and safe water, and the lack of financial resources [Ag Ahmed MA, Ly BA, Diarra NH, Traore FB, Diarra D, Kande IF, et al. Challenges to the implementation and adoption of physical distancing measures against COVID-19 by internally displaced people in Mali: a qualitative study. Confl Health 2021 Dec 04;15(1):88 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]38]. Similar findings were reported among prisons in Zimbabwe, where there were several challenges in the adoption of COVID-19 PPMs, such as severe congestion, interrupted water supply, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate hygiene and sanitation [Mhlanga-Gunda R, Rusakaniko S, Chinyuku AN, Pswarayi VF, Robinson CS, Kewley S, et al. "We sleep 10cm apart so there is no social distancing": COVID-19 preparedness in a Zimbabwean prison complex. Int J Prison Health (forthcoming) 2022 Feb 01. [CrossRef] [Medline]39]. Moreover, although prisoners had adequate COVID-19 awareness and prison health professionals received training on COVID-19 control measures, PPE supply was inadequate, with no routine COVID-19 testing in place beyond thermal scanning; isolation measures were compromised by accommodation capacity issues; and social distancing was impossible during meals and at night [Mhlanga-Gunda R, Rusakaniko S, Chinyuku AN, Pswarayi VF, Robinson CS, Kewley S, et al. "We sleep 10cm apart so there is no social distancing": COVID-19 preparedness in a Zimbabwean prison complex. Int J Prison Health (forthcoming) 2022 Feb 01. [CrossRef] [Medline]39].
Among other population groups, strict adherence to social and physical distancing was documented among patients with cancer, and most preferred web-based medical appointments over regular visits. In addition, some adopted healthier diets, used dietary supplements, and recited the Quran or supplications [Jazieh AR, Benbrahim Z, Al-Sukhun S, Abusanad AM, Alorabi MO, El Kinge AR, et al. 1717P behavioral practices of cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a middle east and north Africa study. Ann Oncol 2020 Sep;31:S1009 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]61]. Similar findings of good practice of social distancing were also reported among patients with chronic conditions in Ethiopia [Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62]. Moreover, in Egypt, patients preferred teledermatology services to the usual physical clinic visits as they perceived them as reliable and safe during the pandemic [Mostafa PI, Hegazy AA. Dermatological consultations in the COVID-19 era: is teledermatology the key to social distancing? An Egyptian experience. J Dermatolog Treat 2022 Mar;33(2):910-915. [CrossRef] [Medline]63]. Government employees in Ethiopia also had higher rates (>80%) of good practice of physical distancing [Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Getachew S, Amogne W. Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021 Sep 07;16(9):e0257112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]68], and the same applied to commuters in Ghana, who had high compliance rates with social distancing guidelines [Dzisi EK, Dei OA. Adherence to social distancing and wearing of masks within public transportation during the COVID 19 pandemic. Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect 2020 Sep;7:100191 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]69].
Adherence to social and physical distancing was associated with gender, age, educational level, working status, place or community of residence, family size, knowledge and attitude, strictness of containment and health policies, perceived risk and barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy among the general public and other groups (patients with chronic diseases; Table 3) [Hailu W, Derseh L, Hunegnaw MT, Tesfaye T, Angaw DA. Compliance, barriers, and facilitators to social distancing measures for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2021;94:100632 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]20-Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22,Sewpaul R, Mabaso M, Dukhi N, Naidoo I, Vondo N, Davids AS, et al. Determinants of social distancing among south Africans from 12 days into the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross sectional study. Front Public Health 2021 May 24;9:632619 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]28-Fikrie A, Amaje E, Golicha W. Social distancing practice and associated factors in response to COVID-19 pandemic at west Guji zone, southern Ethiopia, 2021: a community based cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021 Dec 20;16(12):e0261065 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]30,Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62].
Handwashing and Hand Hygiene and Associated Factors
Regarding community adherence to hand hygiene, lower rates (<60%) were reported in 12 sub-Saharan countries, where the likelihood of handwashing mainly varied with the level of concern about COVID-19 [Amuakwa-Mensah F, Klege RA, Adom PK, Köhlin G. COVID-19 and handwashing: implications for water use in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water Resour Econ 2021 Oct;36:100189 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]33]. In resource-restricted settings, a recent study indicated that >60% of the slum dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya, had limited water, sanitation, and hygiene facility accessibility and opportunity, making adherence to COVID-19 PPMs impossible [Kim J, Hagen E, Muindi Z, Mbonglou G, Laituri M. An examination of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) accessibility and opportunity in urban informal settlements during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Nairobi, Kenya. Sci Total Environ 2022 Jun 01;823:153398 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]37].
Concerning hand hygiene adherence among African HCWs, varying rates were reported in different regions and countries. Generally, lower rates (<60%) were reported in the Northwest [Kassie BA, Adane A, Abebe Kassahun E, Ayele AS, Kassahun Belew A. Poor COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Adv Public Health 2020 Oct 16;2020:1-7 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]45], Northeast [Keleb A, Ademas A, Lingerew M, Sisay T, Berihun G, Adane M. Prevention practice of COVID-19 using personal protective equipment and hand hygiene among healthcare workers in public hospitals of south wollo zone, Ethiopia. Front Public Health 2021 Dec 02;9:782705 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]46], and Eastern [Birhanu A, Balis B, Assebe Yadeta T, Bayu M. Personal protective equipment utilization practice and psychological preparedness of health care workers against COVID-19 pandemic in eastern Ethiopia. SAGE Open Med 2021 Oct 10;9:20503121211051925 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]47] regions of Ethiopia. Nevertheless, higher rates (>60%) were reported in Nigeria [Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49], Southwest Ethiopia [Assefa D, Melaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, attitude and self-reported performance and challenges of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizers among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Drug Resist 2021 Jan 29;14:303-313 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]40], and 2 multicountry surveys [Mahmoud MR, Almuaili JA, Shaheen SM, Alatifi MN, Abdelaziz OG, Abdelaziz SG. Comparative study upon using sanitizers and personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic between Saudi and Egyptian health care providers. J Pharm Res Int 2021 Mar 19;33(13):61-73 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]52,Shadi MS, Geneid A, Rubin JS, Ibrahim RA. Infection control, hand hygiene practice and PPE use among phoniatricians and ENT specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic, a UEP survey. Egypt J Otolaryngol 2022 Jan 24;38(1):14 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]53].
Regarding other groups, strict adherence to proper hand hygiene was reported among patients with chronic conditions in various African countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Morocco [Jazieh AR, Benbrahim Z, Al-Sukhun S, Abusanad AM, Alorabi MO, El Kinge AR, et al. 1717P behavioral practices of cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a middle east and north Africa study. Ann Oncol 2020 Sep;31:S1009 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]61], and Ethiopia [Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62]. A similar observation was made among government employees [Deressa W, Worku A, Abebe W, Getachew S, Amogne W. Social distancing and preventive practices of government employees in response to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021 Sep 07;16(9):e0257112 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]68] and taxi drivers [Natnael T, Adane M, Alemnew Y, Andualem A, Hailu F. COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers and associated factors in urban areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0253452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]71] in Ethiopia, both of whom had higher rates (>60%) of frequent handwashing and hand hygiene as a means of protection against COVID-19. However, poor adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols at shopping centers in Ghana was reported, whereby, although shops complied with providing handwashing facilities, most of the customers did not practice handwashing before entering the shops and did not wear face masks during shopping, and neither did the shop attendants [Fielmua N, Guba BY, Mwingyine DT. Hand hygiene and safety behaviours at shopping centres in COVID-19: an observation in Wa township in Ghana. J Water Sanit Hyg Dev 2021;11(3):442-452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]73]. Similarly, a very low rate (10%) of appropriate handwashing was reported among patrons of convenience shops in Accra, Ghana [Ameme DK, Odikro MA, Baidoo A, Dsane-Aidoo P, Nuvey FS, Jackson DG, et al. Hand hygiene and face mask wearing practices for COVID-19 prevention: a non-intrusive observation of patrons of community convenience shops in Accra, Ghana. Pan Afr Med J 2021 Dec 01;40:195 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]74]. In contrast, an increase in proper handwashing performance was reported among bank visitors in Ethiopia after watching a handwashing demonstration [Yigzaw N, Ayalew G, Alemu Y, Tesfaye B, Demilew D. Observational study on hand washing practice during COVID-19 pandemic among bank visitors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 2021 Jul 23;32(6):697-706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]75].
Handwashing and hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with gender, age, educational level, marital status, profession, place or community of residence, knowledge and attitude, exposure and adherence to handwashing guidelines, strictness of containment and health policies, type and availability of water sources, and perceived risk and barriers among the general public, HCWs, and other groups (Table 3) [Szczuka Z, Abraham C, Baban A, Brooks S, Cipolletta S, Danso E, et al. The trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic and handwashing adherence: findings from 14 countries. BMC Public Health 2021 Oct 05;21(1):1791 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]19,Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22,Wondimu W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, et al. Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 prevention practices in three zones of southwest Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2020 Dec 18;13:1603-1611 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]29,Amuakwa-Mensah F, Klege RA, Adom PK, Köhlin G. COVID-19 and handwashing: implications for water use in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water Resour Econ 2021 Oct;36:100189 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]33,Kassie BA, Adane A, Abebe Kassahun E, Ayele AS, Kassahun Belew A. Poor COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Adv Public Health 2020 Oct 16;2020:1-7 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]45-Birhanu A, Balis B, Assebe Yadeta T, Bayu M. Personal protective equipment utilization practice and psychological preparedness of health care workers against COVID-19 pandemic in eastern Ethiopia. SAGE Open Med 2021 Oct 10;9:20503121211051925 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]47,Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49,Andarge E, Fikadu T, Temesgen R, Shegaze M, Feleke T, Haile F, et al. Intention and practice on personal preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic among adults with chronic conditions in southern Ethiopia: a survey using the theory of planned behavior. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Dec 03;13:1863-1877 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]62,Natnael T, Adane M, Alemnew Y, Andualem A, Hailu F. COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and frequent hand hygiene practices among taxi drivers and associated factors in urban areas of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0253452 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]71,Ameme DK, Odikro MA, Baidoo A, Dsane-Aidoo P, Nuvey FS, Jackson DG, et al. Hand hygiene and face mask wearing practices for COVID-19 prevention: a non-intrusive observation of patrons of community convenience shops in Accra, Ghana. Pan Afr Med J 2021 Dec 01;40:195 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]74,Yigzaw N, Ayalew G, Alemu Y, Tesfaye B, Demilew D. Observational study on hand washing practice during COVID-19 pandemic among bank visitors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 2021 Jul 23;32(6):697-706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]75]. Moreover, work experience, medical specialty (being a nurse or midwifery professional), previous training on COVID-19 prevention and PPE use, feedback on safety, having COVID-19 management guidelines, and ease and safety when using standard precautions were notable predictors among HCWs [Kassie BA, Adane A, Abebe Kassahun E, Ayele AS, Kassahun Belew A. Poor COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers in northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Adv Public Health 2020 Oct 16;2020:1-7 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]45-Birhanu A, Balis B, Assebe Yadeta T, Bayu M. Personal protective equipment utilization practice and psychological preparedness of health care workers against COVID-19 pandemic in eastern Ethiopia. SAGE Open Med 2021 Oct 10;9:20503121211051925 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]47,Afemikhe JA, Esewe RE, Enuku CA, Ehwarieme TA. Transmission based precaution practices among nurses in Edo state, Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Jun;24(s1):98-107. [CrossRef] [Medline]49].
Discussion
Principal Findings
To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to evaluate PPMs against COVID-19 among various population groups in Africa. This systematic review has important implications as it reflects cognitive behavioral issues (knowledge and practice) regarding PPMs in some African countries during an infectious disease outbreak. Future outbreaks or waves of COVID-19 may force people to use PPMs again. The review used a multidimensional approach involving the systematic evaluation of evidence based on region, country, and population group. Moreover, comprehensive coverage of the literature was attained, and a reproducible search methodology was applied using a predefined framework, all of which are strengths of this review.
Among the general community, the review showed varying levels of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, which in turn influenced the practice levels of and compliance with COVID-19 PPMs, especially face mask use, hand hygiene, and physical and social distancing. This finding is in agreement with a previous study from sub-Saharan Africa [Nwagbara UI, Osual EC, Chireshe R, Bolarinwa OA, Saeed BQ, Khuzwayo N, et al. Knowledge, attitude, perception, and preventative practices towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. PLoS One 2021 Apr 19;16(4):e0249853 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15], and similar findings have been reported in other regions where communities’ cognition directly affected the practice and uptake of COVID-19 PPMs [Puspitasari IM, Yusuf L, Sinuraya RK, Abdulah R, Koyama H. Knowledge, attitude, and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020 Jul 30;13:727-733 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]76]. Nonetheless, the observed difference in the practice and adherence to PPMs across African countries may be due to the differences in COVID-19 control policies, income (gross domestic product), and the situation of the pandemic among the countries. Notably, the compliance rates of face mask use reported in most African communities were generally lower compared with those reported in studies from high-income countries [MacIntyre CR, Nguyen PY, Chughtai AA, Trent M, Gerber B, Steinhofel K, et al. Mask use, risk-mitigation behaviours and pandemic fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic in five cities in Australia, the UK and USA: a cross-sectional survey. Int J Infect Dis 2021 May;106:199-207 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]77,Martín-Sánchez M, Lim WW, Yeung A, Adam DC, Ali ST, Lau EH, et al. COVID-19 transmission in Hong Kong despite universal masking. J Infect 2021 Jul;83(1):92-95 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]78]. This may partly be explained by the inability to afford to buy face masks and the differences in the strictness of such preventive measures [Tadesse T, Alemu T, Amogne G, Endazenaw G, Mamo E. Predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention practices using health belief model among employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Infect Drug Resist 2020 Oct 22;13:3751-3761 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]22,Wondimu W, Ejigu A, Ayenew M, Kidnau AW, Niguse W, Geremaw M, et al. Factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 prevention practices in three zones of southwest Ethiopia: community-based cross-sectional study. Int J Gen Med 2020 Dec 18;13:1603-1611 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]29,Aloui-Zarrouk Z, El Youssfi L, Badu K, Francis Fagbamigbe A, Matoke-Muhia D, Ngugi C, et al. The wearing of face masks in African countries under the COVID-19 crisis: luxury or necessity? AAS Open Res 2020 Aug 5;3:36 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef]79]. Nevertheless, poor adherence to face mask use was also reported in some high-income countries such as Australia, Norway, and Sweden [Badillo-Goicoechea E, Chang TH, Kim E, LaRocca S, Morris K, Deng X, et al. Global trends and predictors of face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2021 Nov 15;21(1):2099 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]80], the reasons for which may be other than just the inability to afford face masks. Moreover, lower rates of handwashing and hand hygiene were also reported in several African communities, especially among low-income urban and slum dwellers. This was partly due to a lack of safe and clean water in slum communities [Kim J, Hagen E, Muindi Z, Mbonglou G, Laituri M. An examination of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) accessibility and opportunity in urban informal settlements during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Nairobi, Kenya. Sci Total Environ 2022 Jun 01;823:153398 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]37]. Moreover, buying soap or hand sanitizers was an additional financial constraint for low-income urban dwellers and, thus, may be seen as a luxury.
The results indicate a reduction in the rates of PPM practice (mainly mask use and social and physical distancing) noted in several African countries following the lifting of restrictive lockdown measures and the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination programs. This can be partly explained by pandemic fatigue as more people become demotivated and exhausted to follow the recommended infection prevention and control measures owing to the prolonged impact and existence of COVID-19 [Madziva R, Murewanhema G, Musuka G, Mapingure MP, Chingombe I, Herrera H, et al. Fighting COVID-19 pandemic fatigue and complacency in Zimbabwe. Public Health Pract (Oxf) 2022 Jun;3:100236 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]81]. As COVID-19 PPMs complement the vaccination protective advantage, this implies a need for continued community sensitization and education programs to rectify the reluctance to practice PPMs amid the relaxation of preventive restrictions. Moreover, prompt management of infodemics in the current and future infectious outbreaks is needed to address the misinformation about PPMs [Eysenbach G. How to fight an infodemic: the four pillars of infodemic management. J Med Internet Res 2020 Jun 29;22(6):e21820 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]82].
Among African HCWs, generally good knowledge of PPE use was reported but with varying levels of practicing PPMs, and the low practice rates were attributed mainly to the lack of PPE and the side effects of prolonged PPE use. With HCWs being at the frontline of screening and managing suspects and patients with COVID-19, the lack of PPE increases the risk of infection when doing their work. Nonetheless, the lack of PPE has also been documented in other countries and regions outside Africa [Burki T. Global shortage of personal protective equipment. Lancet Infect Dis 2020 Jul;20(7):785-786 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]83]. Furthermore, this review showed that most patients with comorbidities in Africa reported strict adherence to COVID-19 PPMs, which may be due to their perceived high vulnerability to COVID-19 infection and complications. Other studies outside Africa have reported similar findings among patients with comorbidities [Islam JY, Vidot DC, Camacho-Rivera M. Determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults with chronic diseases in the USA: an analysis of the nationally representative COVID-19 impact survey. BMJ Open 2021 Feb 09;11(2):e044600 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]84,Huynh G, Nguyen MQ, Tran TT, Nguyen VT, Nguyen TV, Do TH, et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding COVID-19 among chronic illness patients at outpatient departments in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2020 Sep 14;13:1571-1578 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]85].
The study findings show that several cognitive (including knowledge, attitude, and perception), demographic, and socioeconomic factors were associated with the practice of and compliance with COVID-19 PPMs among African communities. COVID-19 being a newly evolving disease with varying cross-cutting impacts implies a need for consideration of such cognitive, demographic, and socioeconomic differences in the design of targeted response measures against the pandemic. Nonetheless, similar findings on the association of sociodemographics with the practice of COVID-19 PPMs have been reported in other regions outside Africa [Badillo-Goicoechea E, Chang TH, Kim E, LaRocca S, Morris K, Deng X, et al. Global trends and predictors of face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2021 Nov 15;21(1):2099 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]80].
This review has some practical recommendations for improving COVID-19 control programs in Africa. Efforts are needed to improve the local capacity to produce and supply PPE, especially to HCWs, as the lack of PPE was the main barrier to PPE use. In the early phase of the pandemic, most countries were overwhelmed by the increased demand for PPE, which disrupted the global supply chain, and this had dire consequences for countries with inadequate local manufacturing and supply capacity [Burki T. Global shortage of personal protective equipment. Lancet Infect Dis 2020 Jul;20(7):785-786 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]83]. In addition, providing free or subsidized face masks and soap, especially to low-income earners, would be a helpful strategy for improving PPM practice and adherence. Moreover, the consideration of vulnerable groups such as low-income urban dwellers and internally displaced people and targeted responses tailored to their socioeconomic dynamics are paramount for effective pandemic control programs. Knowledge and perception influenced the practice of PPMs, implying a need for continuous infodemic management, community education, and sensitization, and this should be tailored to address the existing misconceptions and barriers to PPM adherence. Notably, although several of the analyzed studies (11/58, 19%) evaluated the association between age and the practice of COVID-19 PPMs and showed varying rates and results, no single study focused on exploring COVID-19 PPMs among the older adult population of Africa. Given the known vulnerability of older people to severe COVID-19, efforts are needed to explore this special group to help fully understand their behavioral response to the pandemic, which is vital for guiding targeted responses.
The review also reveals substantial inequalities in terms of research output from different regions of Africa, with PPM studies mostly coming from East, West, and North Africa and only 3 countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Egypt) producing >40% (28/58, 48%) of all the studies. This finding coincides with the study by Nwagbara et al [Nwagbara UI, Osual EC, Chireshe R, Bolarinwa OA, Saeed BQ, Khuzwayo N, et al. Knowledge, attitude, perception, and preventative practices towards COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. PLoS One 2021 Apr 19;16(4):e0249853 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]15], which showed the dominance of East and West Africa in COVID-19 research. The high PPM research output from North and West Africa could be because they were the first regions to record COVID-19 cases in the continent [Anjorin AA. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a review and an update on cases in Africa. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2019;13(5):199-203 [FREE Full text]86]. Although South Africa is known to lead African research with sound and more vibrant research institutions in the continent [Volmink J, Dare L. Addressing inequalities in research capacity in Africa. BMJ 2005 Oct 01;331(7519):705-706 [FREE Full text] [CrossRef] [Medline]14], its contribution to COVID-19 PPM research is far lower, as indicated by the study results. Regarding other African countries, the observed pattern may be explained by the differences in research capabilities and resources. Nonetheless, such research inequalities pose gaps in understanding how such countries and regions respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This implies a need for more focus, funding, and involvement in behavioral health research, which is as important as clinical research and vital in guiding evidence-based and country-specific or tailored policies and responses in addressing the dynamics of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Limitations
This systematic review has some limitations. Although we used a comprehensive keyword search strategy, some relevant studies might have been missed as only 3 databases and only English-language articles were considered. In addition, we did not consider gray literature and preprints in this review; thus, they should be considered in future or updated reviews on PPM practice for a more comprehensive search. Although a comprehensive search was performed, no relevant studies were found from 42 of the 54 African countries; thus, the findings might not provide a comprehensive picture of the knowledge and practice of PPMs across the entire continent. Moreover, the findings and conclusions of this review are based on studies that were mostly web-based surveys, which, although this was inevitable because of the restrictive preventive measures and lockdowns, are prone to selection bias based on internet accessibility. Owing to the self-report nature of these surveys, recall and social desirability bias cannot be overlooked. Moreover, assessments of statistical analyses of associations with the practice of COVID-19 preventive measures, as well as meta-analyses, were not performed as these were not the main focus of this review. Despite these limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the facilitators of and barriers to the practice of PPMs in Africa.
Conclusions
This review evaluated the knowledge and practice of COVID-19 PPMs in African countries. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations of this review specifically apply to the included countries and, thus, should be interpreted with caution. The results indicate that African communities, including various population groups, have varying levels of practice and compliance with COVID-19 PPMs, with the lack of PPE (mainly face masks) and side effects of PPE use being the major reasons for poor compliance, especially among HCWs. In addition, various cognitive, sociodemographic, and economic factors were associated with the practice of COVID-19 PPMs. Therefore, this review highlights a need for enhancing the local capacity to produce and supply PPE. The consideration of various cognitive, demographic, and socioeconomic differences, with extra focus on low-income urban dwellers and those who are less advantaged, is vital for inclusive and more effective strategies against the pandemic. Moreover, more focus, involvement, and funding of community behavioral (including protective measures) research is needed to fully understand and address the dynamics of the current pandemic in Africa.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by internal funding from the Centre for Health Behaviours Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Data Availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published paper (and its supplementary information files).
Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
Multimedia Appendix 1
Filled-in PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist.
DOCX File , 27 KB
Multimedia Appendix 2
Quality assessment of the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool—version 2018.
DOCX File , 36 KBReferences
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Abbreviations
HCW: health care worker |
PPE: personal protective equipment |
PPM: personal protective measure |
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses |
Edited by A Mavragani, T Sanchez; submitted 04.11.22; peer-reviewed by JF Fuertes-Bucheli, CR Telles; comments to author 16.03.23; revised version received 29.03.23; accepted 10.04.23; published 16.05.23
Copyright©Joseph Kawuki, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Yuan Fang, Siyu Chen, Phoenix K H Mo, Zixin Wang. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 16.05.2023.
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