Social work responses and household-level determinants of coronavirus preparedness in rural Ethiopia

Background: The novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV) arisen in Ethiopia in early March at its capital city (Addis Ababa) and is now spreading to different administrative regions of the country. This study aimed to assess the attentiveness of the rural community to COVID 19, social work response, and major factors that affect rural community preparedness and response to COVID 19 in Ethiopia. A probit model was used to identify these major factors that affect rural households’ preparedness for the pandemic. Results: : Rural households recognize little about COVID 19 and in response, a few community groups, which consist of youth and university students, religious leaders, and elders were engaged to reduce the consequence of COVID 19. Results from the probit model employed indicate that literacy status (household head and family member), gender, age, and economical status of the households; extension information on COVID 19, cash income from non/off-farm activities, participation in community groups, and ownership of mobile phone with a household all influence households preparedness. The main barriers include a lack of information on COVID 19 and financial constraints. Conclusions: : Commitment to preparedness and response to COVID 19 by the rural community increases with enhancing proper information dissemination system and applicable support. Thus, much more attention needs to be given by a government and other stakeholders to reduce the venerability of the rural community in Ethiopia.