# Risk perception of patients with chronic illnesses toward the SARS-CoV-2 in northeastern Ethiopia in 2020

## TL;DR

This study found that many patients with chronic illnesses in northeastern Ethiopia in 2020 perceived a low risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2, with factors like being young, female, or not wearing masks linked to this perception.

## Contribution

The study identifies demographic and behavioral predictors of low risk perception of SARS-CoV-2 among chronic illness patients in Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- 37.3% of patients perceived low risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2.
- Young adults, females, and face mask nonusers were more likely to perceive low risk.
- 36% of participants believed they would probably get the illness.

## Abstract

•Individuals' perceptions of their risk of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 were low in 37.3%•From the results a significant number of patients thought the pandemic posed little risk.•From the total participants, 8.2% were extremely concerned about SARS-CoV-2.•In the study, almost 36% of participants said they would probably get the illness.

Individuals' perceptions of their risk of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 were low in 37.3%

From the results a significant number of patients thought the pandemic posed little risk.

From the total participants, 8.2% were extremely concerned about SARS-CoV-2.

In the study, almost 36% of participants said they would probably get the illness.

Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 infections have been sharply rising in Ethiopia, and the virus significantly increases morbidity and fatality rates in patients with coexisting chronic conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate Risk perception of patients with chronic illnesses toward the SARS-CoV-2 in northeastern Ethiopia in 2020.

From July 21 to August 5, 2020, a cross-sectional study was carried out in a hospital setting with individuals who had chronic illnesses. The study populations included all patients with chronic conditions. The study employed multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the factors that influence patients' evaluation of the Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 as low-risk.

Four hundred thirteen chronic illness patients participated in this study. Overall, individuals' perceptions of their risk of contracting the Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 were low in 37.3 % (95 % CI: 32.4–41.9). The results of multivariable analysis showed that low perception of risk towards the outcome was strongly correlated with young adults (AOR = 2.21; 95 % CI: 1.26–3.87), female sex (AOR = 2.16; 95 % CI: 1.37–3.42), and face mask nonusers (AOR = 2.17; 95 % CI: 1.35–3.49).

According to this survey, a significant number of patients thought the pandemic posed little risk. The sense of low-risk towards the disease was independently predicted by being female, being a young adult, and not wearing face masks. Patients with chronic illnesses must get focused and enhanced health education in order to lower their elevated risk of morbidity and death.