Assessing knowledge levels on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among community members: The influence of community engagement efforts in Seke district, Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study

Enica Rutendo Chikanya and Moses John Chimbari

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant public health challenges globally, with effective containment relying heavily on community knowledge and engagement. This study assessed COVID-19 knowledge levels among community members in Seke District, Zimbabwe, and evaluated the influence of community engagement efforts. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey of 748 adults was conducted from January to March 2024 across rural, peri-urban, and farming settlements in Seke District, using structured interviews. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling and simple random sampling within clusters. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire assessing knowledge of COVID-19 (symptoms, transmission, prevention) and community engagement. Knowledge was scored on a 17-item questionnaire with a total possible score of 61 points; participants scoring 50% or more of the total possible score were classified as knowledgeable, a threshold based on prior similar studies. Data analysis included ANOVA, Student’s t-test, and post hoc tests with significance set at p

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0342318

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0342318

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