Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions on the Covid-19 response in rural and urban areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

SARS-COV-2 outbreak highlighted difficulties experienced by DRC population, country of 100 million inhabitants in central Africa. As soon as the first positive national case was diagnosed, the government implemented measures to protect the public. However, there are great differences between large cities and the hinterland, which lack basic infrastructure and amenities: access to water, electricity and quality health care. This project aims to compare knowledge, attitudes and practices on the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic between urban and rural communities in the DRC. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two sites: Kinshasa for urban area and at Kimpese, as rural area. Data were collected through individual questionnaires administered to medical staff and group interviews with patients' carers. The study included 90 participants, 46 from Kinshasa site and 44 from Kimpese site. While 67% of Kinshasa residents trusted government reports on the epidemic's spread and statistics on the cases of COVID-19 and deaths, this perception was lower in Kimpese (47%). Of the various measures taken, the most popular were protective masks (97%), lockdowns (97%) and travel restrictions (82%). Economic and social intervention policies, at 12% and 22%, were the less known. Slightly more than six out of ten respondents were satisfied with these measures. Proactive government management and logistical organisation prevented the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading throughout the country. However, government management was marred by setbacks: communication crisis and financial mismanagement. Lack of contextualisation to national realities could be one of causes of non- appropriation of communities more concerned with their survival to the point of denying the existence of the disease. COVID-19 pandemic response in the DRC has considered the gap existing between both communities. An assessment of the consequences should be made. An epidemic risk management plan is needed to avoid making the same mistakes in the ...