COVID-19 risk perception and associated factors in older adults in southern Ethiopia

COVID-19 remains a public health concern in lower income countries. Risk perception has been studied in different countries with different population groups. However, there have been few studies conducted risk perception on older adults and limited data from African continent. This study aimed to assess coronavirus disease low risk perception level and associated factors among older adults in Ethiopia.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among older adults in Areka town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, from August 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021. Multi-stage sampling method was applied to select study participants. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire with the mobile application created with Open Data Kit mobile.

Overall, risk perception was fairly low. Risk perception was particularly low among individuals aged 65 to 74 years (AOR = 4.76, 95% CI: 2.35-9.64), poor practice on preventing coronavirus disease (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.51-3.78), with low trust level in medical professionals (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.45-4.10), no history of coronavirus disease (AOR = 6.45, 95%CI [2.02-20.58]), and poor perceived self-efficacy for preventive practice (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.43-3.54).

In the current study area, the perception of risk of coronavirus disease was affected by age, perceived self-efficacy, trust in medical professionals, preventive practice, and history of COVID-19. The findings of this study would help lower income countries to generate evidence-based policy decisions for older adults during the COVI-D-19 pandemic and future pandemic(s).