Table 4 Perceived threat of COVID-19 among Gurage zone town administration communities, South Ethiopia, July 2020 (n = 633)

It is likely that I will get COVID-19

20 (3.2%)

170 (26.9%)

32 (5.1%)

374 (59.1)

37 (5.8%)

I am at risk for getting COVID-19

42 (6.6%)

193 (30.5%)

70 (11.1%)

302 (47.7%)

26 (4.1%)

It is possible that I will get COVID-19

15 (2.4%)

105 (16.6%)

33 (5.2%)

427 (67.5%)

53 (8.4%)

Perceived severity of COVID-19

I believe that COVID-19 is severe

3 (0.5%)

26 (4.1%)

6 (0.9%)

320 (50.6%)

278 (43.9%)

I believe that COVID-19 has serious negative consequences

3 (0.5%)

23 (3.6%)

8 (1.3%)

330 (52.1%)

269 (42.5%)

I believe that COVID-19 is extremely harmful

2 (0.3%)

37 (5.8%)

11 (1.7%)

322 (50.9%)

261 (41.2%)

Perceived response efficacy for Covid-19 preventive behavioral messages

 Properly washing hands with soap and water could prevent risk of COVID-19

0

7 (1.1%)

298 (47.1%)

328 (51.8%)

0

 Not touching eye-nose-mouth with unwashed hands could prevent risk of COVID-19

2 (0.3%)

10 (1.6%)

5 (0.8%)

303 (47.9%)

313 (49.4%)

 Avoiding walking to crowded places without face mask could prevent risk of COVID-19

0

14 (2.2%)

2 (0.3%)

319 (50.4%)

298 (47.1%)

 Staying at home could prevent risk of COVID-19

5 (0.8%)

25 (3.9%)

18 (2.8%)

348 (55%)

237 (37.4%)

Perceived Self-efficacy to perform Covid-19 preventive behavioral messages

 It is easy for me to engage on proper hand washing with soap and water which prevent risk of COVID-19

1 (0.2%)

40 (6.3%)

29 (4.6%)

397 (62.7%)

166 (26.2%)

 I am able to adapt for not touching eye-nose-mouth with unwashed hands which prevent risk of COVID-19

8 (1.3%)

65 (10.3%)

71 (11.2%)

400 (63.2%)

89 (14.1%)

 I am confident enough for avoiding crowded places could prevent risk of COVID-19

52 (8.2%)

185 (29.2%)

149 (23.5%)

214 (33.8%)

33 (5.2%)

 Staying at home is easy for me which could prevent risk of COVID-19

258 (40.8%)

203 (32.1%)

79 (12.5%)

84 (13.3%)

9 (1.4%)