Title: 'The pandemic is not still here': individuals' knowledge, attitudes and practices in response to COVID-19 in a metropolitan Ethiopian city

Authors: Nahom Eyasu

Addresses: Department of Sociology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract: This research addresses the knowledge gap of individuals' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 in Ethiopia. The study involved 35 participants derived using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to explore the major themes of comprehension, perception and disease handling. The results show that COVID-19 can be curved its spread by using the three types of 'standing up': standing up with, standing up for, and standing up as. The results also reveal that KAP gained from religious and cultural beliefs might have a more significant impact on protection against COVID-19 than official protocols do. In addition, conventional, expressive and oriented rational social actions also reduce the spread of COVID-19. Standing up with the government, standing up as taking consideration of the individuals' responsibilities and standing up for executing the protocol of COVID-19 can mitigate the cause and consequences of COVID-19.

Keywords: individuals' attitude; COVID-19; individuals' knowledge; individuals' practice; social connectedness; physical distancing; metropolitan Ethiopian city.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2022.121998

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2022 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.40 - 57

Received: 10 May 2021
Accepted: 06 Jan 2022

Published online: 07 Apr 2022 *

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