Renay Weiner
Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Research and Training for Health and Development, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sarah Magni
Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tetelo Maakamadi
Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tamika Fellows
Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa
Susan Aitken
Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa
Jessica Yun
Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa
Stefano Tempia
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
Anne von Gottberg
Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Jinal Bhiman
Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sibongile Walaza
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Jocelyn Moyes
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Cherie Cawood
Epicentre Health Research, Durban, South Africa
Neil Martinson
Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Johns Hopkins University Center for Tuberculosis Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Limakatso Lebina
Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Cheryl Cohen
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
Nicole Wolter
Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
Introduction: South Africa has the largest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa. Data to inform public health strategies to mitigate the spread of new variants and severity of disease is needed, including information on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19, factors associated with intention to get vaccinated, and viewpoints on reliable sources of data.
Methods: we investigated these topics as part of the COVID-19 healthcare utilization and seroprevalence (HUTS) cross-sectional survey in three communities in South Africa: Mitchell´s Plain (Western Cape Province), Pietermaritzburg (KwaZulu-Natal Province) and Klerksdorp (North West Province) during and after the second wave of COVID-19 prior to vaccine availability.
Results: primary caregivers from 5799 households participated in the study, 41.1% from Pietermaritzburg, 34.2% from Klerksdorp and 24.7% from Mitchells Plain. Two-thirds and 94.7% of respondents had correct knowledge on the cause and spread of COVID-19, respectively. Knowledge measures were significantly associated with age less than 65 years, the highest level of education and site (Mitchells Plain). Desired preventive behaviors were associated with higher socio-economic status. While 64.7% of people intended to get vaccinated, those over 64 years of age were more likely to intend to vaccinate (aOR: 1.25, 95% CI:1.06-1.47). Vaccine intention related to protection of self (58.4%) and family (40.0%). The most trusted source of COVID-19 information was television (59.3%) followed by radio (20.0%).
Conclusion: these data can be used to design targeted public health campaigns for the current COVID-19 and future epidemics, ensuring that socio-economic constraints and preference for trusted information are considered.
