Table 2 COVID-19 knowledge of respondents living in randomly selected IDP settlements in Somalia (n = 585)

Main symptoms of COVID-19 ^a

 Fever

467

79.8

 Cough

434

74.2

 Shortness of breath/breathing difficulties

319

54.5

 Headache

224

38.3

 Muscle pain and tiredness

202

34.5

 Diarrhea

26

4.4

 Don’t know/no answer

10

1.7

 No symptoms

5

0.9

Transmission of COVID-19 ^a

 Being exposed to sneezes and coughs

487

83.3

 Touching contaminated objects/surfaces

362

61.9

 Contact with contaminated animals

135

23.1

 Drinking unclean water

86

14.7

 Eating contaminated food

56

9.6

 Blood transfusion

23

3.9

 Mosquito bites

21

3.6

 Don’t know/no answer

13

2.2

Prevention of COVID-19 ^a

 Wash your hands regularly using sanitizer or soap and water

398

68.0

 Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

367

62.7

 Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough

278

47.5

 Avoid social gatherings, crowded places and keeping physical distance

165

28.2

 Avoid touching face and nose with my hands

163

27.9

 Drink only treated water

56

9.6

 Avoid unprotected direct contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals

26

4.4

 Cook meat and eggs well

20

3.4

 Sleep under the mosquito net

18

3.1

 Eliminate standing water

9

1.5

Treatment ^a

 Ginger

202

34.5

 Garlic

166

28.4

 Praying to Almighty

167

28.5

 Honey

145

24.8

 Lemon and/or vitamin C

132

22.6

 Herbal medicines

113

19.3

 Black seed

82

14.0

 Other

5

0.9