Table 2 Factor loading for PCA of RBDS on COVID-19, May 2020, Ethiopia

Avoiding crowded places and close contact with anyone prevent the risk of infection with COVID-19.

96.4–98.4

Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth prevents infection with COVID-19.

94.6–97.2

Maintaining social/physical distancing prevents the risk of infection with COVID-19.

94.5–97.1

Covering your cough/sneezing using the bend of your elbow or a tissue prevents the spread of COVID-19.

95.1–97.5

Staying at home help to prevent infections with COVID-19.

94.3–96.9

Isolation and treatment of people who are infected with the COVID-19 are effective ways to reduce the spread of the virus

95.9–98.1

Staying informed and following advice given by your healthcare provider can reduce the chance of acquiring COVID-19

96.0–98.2

Following good respiratory hygiene is effective to protect the people around you from COVID-19

87.5–91.4

Washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills the virus that causes COVID-19

88.2–92.0

For fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seeking medical care early help to manage COVID-19

95.1–97.5

I have the skill to follow the recommended hand washing practices to prevent myself from COVID-19.

0.701

95.4–97.7

I can always cover my cough using the bend of my elbow or a tissue to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

0.693

88.1–91.9

I am confident that I can wash my hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub to keep myself from COVID-19

0.687

89.1–92.8

I can avoid touching my eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent infection with COVID-19

0.609

83.8–88.2

I have the resource (water, soup) to wash my hands frequently with water and soap to prevent myself from COVID-19.

0.584

84.8%-89.1

By following good respiratory hygiene I can protect the people around me from COVID-19

0.573

83.2–87.7

I can be stay informed and follow the advice given by the health care provider.

0.545

92.7–95.7

The use of personnel protective equipment is effective to prevent COVID-19 infections

0.490

88.3–92.1

It is likely that I am at risk of getting a COVID-19 infection

0.784

49.2–55.6

I will likely get a COVID-19 infection

0.706

38.3–44.6

In many aspects, I am less likely to acquire COVID-19

0.694

48.6–55.0

It is possible that I will get a COVID-19 infection

0.669

71.5–77.1

I am confident that I can stay at home easily to prevent COVID-19

0.758

49.2–55.6

I am confident that I can avoid crowded places and close contact with anyone to protect myself from COVID-19.

0.675

76.4–81.6

I can maintain at least a 2-m distance between myself and anyone to prevent infection with COVID-19.

0.634

75.0–80.4

I am confident that Ethiopia can win the battle against the COVID-19 virus

0.516

49.9–56.3

I believe that COVID-19 is extremely harmful

0.799

77.3–82.5

I believe that COVID-19 has serious negative consequences on my life

0.718

65.8–71.8

I believe that COVID-19 infection is a severe disease

0.697

75.7–81.0

% of Variance explained (total = 55.9%)