Mozambican Adolescents and Youths during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Awareness Gaps in the Provinces of Sofala and Tete
Claudia Marotta, Ussene Nacareia, Alba Sardon Estevez, Francesca Tognon, Giselle Daiana Genna, Giovanna De Meneghi, Edoardo Occa, Lucy Ramirez, Marzia Lazzari, Francesco Di Gennaro, Giovanni Putoto
Abstract
(1) Background: Mozambique has an average population age of 17 years and adolescents and youths have a pivotal role in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic control. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in order to assess the awareness and information needs with regard to COVID-19 among a sample of adolescents and youths from two different Mozambican provinces. (3) Results: Only 25% of adolescents and youths had a high level of awareness and only 543/2170 participants reported a high level of knowledge regarding COVID-19. In our multivariate model, significant predictors of reporting a high level of knowledge about COVID-19 include female sex (O.R. = 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.89), having a house without a thatched roof (O.R. = 1.85; 95% CI 1.02-2.95) and HIV-positive status (O.R. = 1.56; 95% CI 1.36-2.87). (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights an important and relevant knowledge gap in adolescents and youths with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Involving young people and adolescents in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 is an essential strategy, especially in countries where the national average age is young, such as Mozambique, and where this epidemic can aggravate an already fragile health system.