Attitude and Behavior of Emerging Novel COVID-19 Disease Khartoum, Sudan

Background: The emerging COVID-19 is a devastating life-threatening disease, which is characterized by high morbidity. More than 40 million people have been affected globally with case fatality rate ranging between 5 – 10%. Attitude and behavior play a major role in preventing the emerging and re-emerging diseases. Our study aimed at assessing attitude and behavior of participants towards COVID-19. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional community-based study. It was carried out in Khartoum States (Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman localities). A total of 1200 participants were randomly interviewed face-to-face using close ended questionnaire. A multistage cluster sampling technique was applied. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Smart PLS were used. Logistic regression, factor analysis and tree analysis were performed. Results: Negative attitude was reported in greater that half of participants [(52.7%, n= 632, ] (95%Cl, 49.9% - 55.5%), whilst positive attitude was noted in [(47.3%, n= 568, (95%Cl, 44.5% - 50.1%)]. Regarding behavior, more than half of the participants [(55.3%, n= 663, (95%Cl, 52.5% - 58.1%)] had poor behavior, whereas the remaining [(44.7%, n= 537, (95%Cl, 41.9% - 47.5%)] had good behavior. Factor analysis revealed that, three factors extracted which explain 56% of change occurring attitude towards COVID-19 of the surveyed participants they were recorded into; misconceptions about covid19, infodemics of COVID19, and negative stereotyping. The spectrum of behavior was noted in; response to isolation strategy, anticipated stigma, and enacted stigma (61%). Logistic regression showed that, monthly income between 2000-2999 SDG was 2.25 times more likely to have negative attitudes towards COVID19 ( 0.809 β = , p <0.001, AOR=2.25, 95% C.I.; 1.48 -3.41,). Educational status was statistically associated with attitude towards COVID19 ( p <0.001). Males were 0.62 less likely to have poor behavior comparing with females ( 0.48 β = − , p <0.05, AOR=0.62, 95% C.I.; 0.43 -0.89). Monthly income 2000-2999 SDG was 2.83 times more likely to have poor behavior towards COVID19 ( 1.04 β = , p <0.001, AOR=2.83, 95% C.I.; 1.77 -4.52). Tree analysis revealed that attitude was the best predictor of behavior towards COVID-19. Locality was the best predictor of negative attitude. Conclusion: Behavior and attitude combined have a potential effect on preventing and controlling COVID-19