Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates understanding public knowledge and compliance with interventions.
• Ghana, like other nations, implemented measures such as lockdowns, mask-wearing, and vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge and adherence to preventive measures, including vaccination, in Ghana.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1560 participants across six regions in Ghana.
• Data was collected using an interview-structured questionnaire.
• Linear multiple regression analysis was employed to assess factors influencing knowledge and compliance.

Main Results:

• Adequate COVID-19 knowledge (69.9%) was reported, influenced by knowledge of other diseases.
• A significant gap exists between knowledge and practice, with two-thirds unwilling to follow measures and only 35.3% willing to vaccinate.
• Neither COVID-19 knowledge nor socio-demographic factors significantly impacted preventive measure practices.

Conclusions:

• Personal attitudes are critical for public compliance with health interventions, surpassing traditional communication methods.
• Targeted interventions, persuasion, and open dialogue on vaccine acceptance are crucial to combat hesitancy and prevent Ghana from becoming a hotspot for new variants.