Combating coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in rural areas of Malawi: Factors affecting the fight
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Combating coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in rural areas of Malawi: Factors affecting the fight | |
| Creator | Chawinga, Winner Singini, Wales Phuka, John Chimbatata, Nathaniel Mitambo, Collins Sambani, Clara Kambalame, Dzinkambani | |
| Description | Background: Owing to their detachment from urban areas, people living in rural areas of Malawi are on the receiving end of health services and socio-economic benefits. The study therefore explored how Malawians living in these areas are adhering to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment measures and the factors that affect the COVID-19 fight amongst this population.Aim: The study investigated how the rural population in Malawi adheres to COVID-19 containment measures.Setting: The study was conducted in two districts in Northern Malawi.Methods: Data were collected from 263 participants. The chi-square (χ2) test was performed to determine the association between demographic variables and COVID-19 prevention practices and factors affecting the COVID-19 fight.Results: Education was significantly associated with wearing of masks (p = 0.01), use of sanitisers (p 0.01) and practising social distancing (p = 0.07). Monthly income was associated with the use of sanitisers (p 0.01). Women were more exposed to fake news about COVID-19 (p = 0.09); older people were more likely to disregard COVID-19 containment measures for cultural reasons (p = 0.07); and monthly income was associated with a lack of resources for following COVID-19 containment measures (p 0.01).Conclusion: Findings show that factors affecting the COVID-19 fight are influenced by various socio-economic factors which should therefore be taken into account in policy planning aiming at controlling the pandemic.Contribution: The study provides health stakeholders with a policy direction that enhances better coordination, implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 response and recovery activities in rural areas in Malawi. The findings have implications on controlling current and future communicable diseases; the proposed strategies might be employed in fighting similar current and future pandemics. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2023-01-30 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.3464 | |
| Source | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; Vol 15, No 1 (2023); 9 pages 2071-2936 2071-2928 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3464/6022
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3464/6023
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3464/6024
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/3464/6025
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