Post Covid-19 Hygienic Behavior and Public Perception in Zanzibar in Relation to Future Pandemic
Salum Seif Salum *
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Health and Medical Sciences, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Saleh Khalfan Moh’d
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Health and Medical Sciences, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Ummulkulthum Chamda Haji
Ministry of Health Zanzibar, Tanzania.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 Pandemic, hygiene behavior significantly changed due to the implementation of the World Health Organization strategies intended to combat coronavirus transmission. The goal of this study is to assess the post-COVID-19 hygienic behaviors and public perception in Zanzibar.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Zanzibar town between March 28 and May 19, 2021. A convenience sampling method was applied to recruit interested participants. A structured questionnaire was used for the interview and a checklist for direct assessment. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.
Results: Among 299 enrolled respondents, residents were 78.9% and non-residents were 20.7%. 49.2% of the respondents were between 18 and 28 years old. 53.8% were males and 46.2% females. There was a significant difference in the source of COVID-19 information between residents and non-residents (p-value = 0.0000000000028) p<0.05. Television 61% and radio 34.7% were the main information source for residents as television 76.3% and social media 15% for non-residents. 84.3% of the residents and 58.7% of the non-residents expressed fear of the presence of COVID-19 cases in neighboring countries (p-value = 0.00000741) p<0.05. 59.9% of the residents and 75.4 % of the non-residents believed that Zanzibar was not safe from COVID-19, (p-value = 0.0694) p>0.05. Of 47.5% of respondents believed that the imposition of preventive measures was the main factor that prevented Zanzibar from being strongly hit by COVID-19.
Conclusion: There was positive behavior and perception during post-COVID-19. For sustainable modest hygienic practices, there is a need to shift from fear-driven hygienic behavioral changes to awareness-driven through the use of appropriate sources of information for community education and keep maintaining hand-washing practices at least at public institutions
Keywords: Post-COVID-19, hygienic behaviors, perceptions, residents, non-residents, preventive measures