Knowledge, attitudes and practices of adult patients seen in ENT consultation facing COVID-19 in Lomé, Togo.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to verify the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients received in an ENT consultation in Lom´ in the face of COVID-19 in order to better guide information, education and communication campaigns. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study that took place from May 4 to June 5, 2020, in the ENT department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lom´, the country's leading reference hospital center. An anonymous questionnaire with open and closed questions was given during the first 5-10 minutes of a regulatory ENT consultation. Only patients 15 years of age and older who gave their consent were included in the study. The consent of patients aged 15 to 18 was confirmed by their parent or guardian accompanying them. Results: A total of 166 patients were enrolled in the study and one interviewee was not aware of the presence of COVID-19 on Togolese territory. Radio and TV programs and newspapers were the main source of information for the respondents (86.14%). Patients' overall knowledge of COVID-19 in terms of symptoms, routes of transmission and barrier measures was rated as good. More than 79% of respondents reported being afraid of COVID-19. The attitudes and practices of those surveyed were diverse and varied. Respondents who thought they had been infected tended to take preventive self-medication (p = 0.0003). Low education was been associated with fear of COVID-19 (p = 0.0112). Conclusion: Further awareness-raising and with the right explanations, is still necessary to ensure what has been learned and avoid fear, stigma and bad practice when faced with COVID-19.