Author(s)

Yèssito Corine Nadège Houehanou¹, Armand Wanvoègbe², Akouodé Thomas Hounto¹, Luc Béhanzin¹, Maurice Agonnoudé¹, David Houéto¹, Thierry Adoukonou¹

¹National School of Public Health (ENATSE), University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
²Department of Internal Medicine, University Departmental Hospital Ouéme-Plateau, Porto-Novo, Benin.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-COV2 appeared in China in 2019. The aim of the study was to evaluate the practice of barrier measures against COVID-19 and to identify associated factors among diabetics followed at Departmental University Hospital Center Ouémé-Plateau, Benin, in 2021. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from June to August 2021, including diabetics aged 18 and over, hospitalized or received for medical visits in the department of medicine at the target hospital. Data were collected during an interview with each participant thanks to a questionnaire. “Good practice” was defined as regular practice of at least two of three barrier measures: hand washing, physical distancing and mask-wearing. Results: A total of 110 diabetics were included with a female predominance (55.5%) and a mean age of 57 ± 11.3 years. Among them, 89.1% washed their hands, 41.8% respected physical distancing and 12.7% wore a mask. The proportion of good practice was 47.3%. Only 5 practiced the three barrier measures. Only age group was associated with good practice. Conclusion: The study showed a low proportion of good practice of barrier measures against COVID-19 among diabetic people surveyed. It is important to continue the action for COVID-19 prevention among diabetic people in the targeted hospital and in other hospitals in Benin.

COVID-19, Barrier Measures, Practice, Diabetic People, Benin

Houehanou, Y. , Wanvoègbe, A. , Hounto, A. , Béhanzin, L. , Agonnoudé, M. , Houéto, D. and Adoukonou, T. (2024) Practice of Barrier Measures against COVID-19 Among Diabetic People Followed at Departmental University Hospital Center Ouémé-Plateau, Benin, in 2021. Open Journal of Epidemiology, 14, 249-259. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2024.142017.