Adherence to COVID-19 Mitigation Measures among Kilifi and Mombasa Residents - An Observational Study in Coastal Kenya

Abstract

Aim: Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic led countries into engaging public health guidelines as a strategy towards preventing infections. Hand washing, social distancing and masking remains key measures for infection control and prevention of the COVID-19. Strict adherence to public health infection control and prevention protocols is necessary to contain the spread at the community stage of the virus. National and County governments in Kenya directed efforts and resources in implementing numerous infection control and prevention measures in public places and institutions. The study assessed adherence to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) guidelines among the residents of Kilifi and Mombasa County in combating COVID-19 infections. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted between 25th November and 4th December 2020 in ten sub-counties in Mombasa and Kilifi counties, Kenya. Data was collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) mobile application. Results: Forty observations were done in Kilifi (45 percent) and Mombasa (55.0 percent). More than a third (37.5 percent) of the observations were done at the household level, followed by public buildings (30.0 percent), market/shopping centers (30.0 percent) and bus terminus (2.5 percent). More than half of the occupants in both Kilifi 55.6 percent and Mombasa 68.2 percent observed physical distancing of 1.5 meters, however, low screening of temperature at the entrance was noted. The general observation shows only 55.6 percent of the premises visited had a hand-washing station in Kilifi while 68.2 percent in Mombasa County. Most of the hand washing stations had running water and people did proper handwashing in both Counties. Only 30.0 percent of the hand station at Kilifi County had soaps. Conclusion: COVID – 19 will continue to pose serious public health challenges as many premises still don’t adhere to some of the guidelines. Multi-sectoral feasible approaches towards ensuring further adherence on all the public health guidelines should be given priority to control and prevent COVID-19 infection