The Perception of Religious Community Toward Pandemic COVID-19 by Using Health Belief Model: Qualitative Research Method, West Guji Zone, Ethiopia 2021

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Abstract IntroductionDealing with religious congregations in times of epidemics could be challenging. This mobilization and gathering could serve as a potential focal point for dispersal of novel pathogens. Furthermore in the light of recent events on the pandemic COVID-19, there are some considerable concerns about the perception of the religious community toward pandemic COVID-19. Thus, this study explored the perception of the religious communities about pandemic COVID-19 and their prevention practice amid pandemic.MethodA qualitative research method with in depth exploratory phenomenological study approach was employed. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 22 study participants from Christion Protestant, Christian Orthodox, Muslim and Wakefata. In-depth interview and focus group discussion were conducted with religious community including religious leader. Data was analyzed using content analysis informed by health belief model.ResultThe study describes the perception of religious community including religious leaders with help of the four constructs of the health belief model: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit and perceived barriers. Many participants witnessed that people who are gathered in confined places like churches and mosques are susceptible to COVID-19. Most of participants realized that there are still misconceptions about COVID-19 disease. Many participants witnessed that most of their church members still do not believe in the existence of COVID-19. In addition, some participants revealed that until now there are parts of the community that associated COVID-19 with politics, scientists, illuminants, or the disease of devilsConclusion and RecommendationThe majority of participants agreed that the risk of getting COVID-19 pandemic during religious congregation is very high. The result highlights the need for holistic approach by concerned stakeholders to convince the religious congregation about the realty of this pandemic which could improve the prevention practice and their decision making process.

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