Knowledge and attitude of the communities towards COVID-19 and associated factors among Gondar City residents, northwest Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study
Authors: Taddese Asefa Adimasu , Azene Zelalem Nigussie , Merid Mehari Woldemariam , Muluneh Atalay Goshu , Geberu Demiss Mulatu , Kassa Getahun Molla , Yenit Melaku Kindie , Tilahun Sewbesew Yitayih , Gelaye Kassahun Alemu , Mekonnen Habtamu Sewunet , Azagew Abere Woretaw , Wubneh Chalachew Adugna , Belay Getaneh Mulualem , Assimamaw Nega Tezera , Agegnehu Chilot Desta , Azale Telake , Tamiru Animut Tagele , Rade Bayew Kelkay , Taye Eden Bishaw , Andualem Zewudu , Dagne Henok , Gashaye Kiros Terefe , Kabito Gebisa Guyasa , Mekonnen Tesfaye Hambisa , Daba Sintayehu , Azanaw Jember , Adane Tsegaye , Alemayehu Mekuriaw 
Published: April 2021

Background
COVID-19 is the novel coronavirus responsible for the ongoing global outbreak of acute respiratory disease and viral pneumonia. In order to tackle the devastating condition of the virus, countries need to attack the virus with aggressive and targeted tactics. Thus, to strengthen the COVID-19 mitigation measures and to give rapid response, there is an urgent need to understand the public’s knowledge and attitude about of the pandemic at this critical moment.

Objective
This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of communities about COVID-19 and associated factors among Gondar City residents.

Methods
A community based cross-sectional study was done among 623 respondents in Gondar city from April 20-27/2020. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from different literatures. The data were entered using Epi data version 3.1 and then exported into STATA version 14 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was used to declare statistically significant variables on the basis of p value less than 0.05 in the multivariable binary logistic regression model.

Results
The overall knowledge and attitude of the community towards COVID19 was 51.85% [95% CI (47.91%-55.78%)] and 53.13% [95% CI (49.20, 57.06%)], respectively. In this study, being married [AOR = 0.60 at 95% CI: (0.42, 0.86)], educational level; primary [AOR = 3.14 at 95% CI: (1.78,5.54)], secondary [AOR = 2.81 at 95% CI: (1.70,4.63)], college and above [AOR = 4.49 at 95% CI: 7.92, 13.98)], and family size [AOR = 1.80, at 95% CI: (1.05, 3.08)] were emerged as statistically significant factors impacting the knowledge of the community about COVID-19. Besides, educational level; primary [AOR = 1.76 at 95% CI: (1.03, 3.01)], secondary [AOR = 1.69 at 95% CI: (1.07, 2.68)], and college & above [AOR = 2.38 at 95% CI: (1.50, 3.79)], and family size; four to six members [AOR = 1.84 at 95% CI (1.27, 2.67)], above seven members [AOR = 1.79 at 95% CI (1.08, 2.96)] were factors identified as significantly attribute for positive attitude of the communities towards COVID-19.

Conclusion
More than half of the respondents had better knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19. Higher educational level and larger family size were significant factors predominantly affecting the knowledge and attitude of the communities towards COVID-19.