A Review of COVID-19 Pandemic: Myths, Misconceptions, and Role of Media Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Nigeria and many countries of the world in recent times. It has introduced some level of new concepts and social phenomena in many countries. The interference of myths and misconceptions in the mitigation of the epidemics in Nigeria calls for attention. Many Nigerians harbor some level of myth or misconceptions about COVID-19. Lack of confidence in the integrity of government, security agents, health officers among many other factors is the popular opinion that has contributed to the spread of misconceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic by many Nigerians. The mass media through programs, activities, campaigns, information dissemination etc, educates and detect to the society what is important. There is need for synergism between the private, public, local and international organization for the masses to receive the proper education that will debunk the harmful myths and misconceptions among many Nigerians.

Community-level survey of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures in Kwara State, Nigeria: good knowledge vs poor attitude

“…Several other studies had reported similar high COVID-19 risk perception across several other states in Nigeria. 14 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 …”

Misconceptions and associated factors of COVID-19 infection among internally displaced persons in Sudan

“…7,8 COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease that enters the human body via the eyes, nose, and mouth and spreads by droplets from coughs and sneezes, close contact with an infected person, and touching contaminated surfaces. 9 The common symptoms of COVID-19 include high temperature, dry coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, diarrhea, headache, loss of smell and taste, and complicated acute respiratory disease leading to pneumonia, renal failure, coma, and death. [10][11][12] The risk factors of the severity of the illness include comorbid disorders such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and chronic lung and kidney disease.…”

“… 7 , 8 COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease that enters the human body via the eyes, nose, and mouth and spreads by droplets from coughs and sneezes, close contact with an infected person, and touching contaminated surfaces. 9 …”

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Health Workers in Surgical Departments in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…[47][48][49] There are reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy described in some populations. [50][51][52][53][54] In the Nigerian setting, there are deep-seated misconceptions, [55][56][57][58] also fueled by religious beliefs. 59,60 There is also the concern of public trust following some government postures on COVID-19 related issues.…”