Knowledge and behavior towards COVID-19 in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
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2024-02-19
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Abstract
Introduction: Despite efforts by health organizations to share evidence-based information, fake news hindered the promotion of social
distancing and vaccination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed COVID-19 knowledge and
practices in a vulnerable area in northern Rio de Janeiro, acknowledging the influence of the complex social and economic landscape on public
health perceptions.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Novo Eldorado – a low-income, conflict-affected neighborhood in Campos dos
Goytacazes – using a structured questionnaire, following the peak of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil (July–December 2021). Statistical tests were
used to delineate profiles and evaluate knowledge and preventive behaviors associated with COVID-19.
Results: This study involved a cohort of 156 participants, predominantly women (74%), with an average age of 53 years. Almost half of the
participants were identified as single (48%), and more than half had not completed elementary school. Notably, 68% believed they were well informed about COVID-19. The answers to the questionnaire revealed that the majority correctly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a virus (65%); 72% recognized fever or cough as the main symptoms; and 71% recognized the importance of
wearing masks. The overall mean score of the study was 7.628 (SD 1.583047). Social networks, especially ‘WhatsApp’ (65%), were the
primary information sources. Those using social media or WhatsApp had higher knowledge scores (8.000 vs. 7.000, p = 0.0064).
Conclusions: Involving marginalized communities and using social media to disseminate accurate information and trust in science is necessary
to tackle COVID-19 challenges.
Descrição
Severe pneumonia cases in Wuhan (Hubei, China),
led to numerous deaths in December 2019 [1]. The
pathogen was identified as severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the
disease was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) [2]. In Brazil, the first case of COVID-19 was
diagnosed in the city of São Paulo on February 26,
2020, and the first death from the disease was diagnosed
the following month [3]. Subsequently, COVID-19 had
infected more than 34.368,909 Brazilians, resulting in
more than 683,390 deaths in the country in 30 months
[3,4]. Brazil experienced its second wave of COVID-19
in March 2021, driven by the Manaus Gamma variant,
with a daily average of 72,000 cases and over 2,000
deaths per day for weeks [4].
Since the pandemic's onset, Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO), the regional office for the World
Health Organization (WHO) in the Americas; and
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) [5]; have
consistently provided evidence-based information on
their websites to combat rumors and misinformation.
Meanwhile, online research, which allows researchers
to collect data conveniently through the internet, found
that Brazilians had a fundamental understanding of
COVID-19 [6,7]. However, the population of this
country is significantly heterogeneous; cities in the Rio
de Janeiro state harbor communities are characterized
by low-income socio-demographics, residents enduring
armed conflicts, and limited access to educational
resources. These communities were more vulnerable to
misinformation and had a less proactive response to
COVID-19, despite access to information [8,9].
Furthermore, the vulnerability of respondents to
COVID-19 encompasses both financial and social
dimensions. A high Gini index, indicating inequality
Vargas et al. – Profile of COVID-19 in Rio, Brazil J Infect Dev Ctries 2024; 18(12.1):S282-S288.
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(0.524 in 2020), coupled with a lower human
development index (HDI; 0.76, in 2022) were
demonstrably associated with higher mortality rates due
to SARS-CoV-2 infection [10].
In this study, we aimed to explore COVID-19
awareness and practices in a low-income