COVID-19 pandemic, psychological response to quarantine, and knowledge of the disease among inmates in a Nigerian custodial center

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional study to assess the psychological response to quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic and knowledge level about the disease among inmates of a Custodial Center in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of 66 new prison inmates were assessed for psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10); and inmates’ knowledge about COVID-19 using a COVID-19 Knowledge Questionnaire developed by the researchers. Participants had a mean age of 28.39±8.71 years; 63 (95.5%) were male inmates and 3 (4.5%) were female inmates. Sixty-one (92.4%) were awaiting-trial inmates, 43 (65.1%) had psychological distress, and 35 (53%) had completed at least secondary school. COVID-19 questionnaire mean score was 3.82±3.33. Thirty-one (21.8%) had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 (7-10 score), while 35 (53%) and 10 (15.2%) had poor (0-3) and average (4-6) knowledge, respectively. Adequate COVID-19 knowledge level was significantly higher among those that completed at least secondary school (48.6%) than those who did not (12.9%). Though not statistically significant, adequate COVID-19 knowledge level was commoner among those without psychological distress (43.5%) than those with psychological distress (25.6%). Considering responses to specific questions contained in the questionnaire, knowledge about some questions was relatively high. For example, a majority of the participants 45 (68.2%) correctly responded that death can be a complication of COVID-19; whereas half of them 33 (50%) correctly responded that regular hand washing with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the disease. Nevertheless, responses to some questions showed poor knowledge about the disease as 18 (27.3%) correctly answered that COVID-19 can affect the lungs, while 20 (30.3%) correctly responded that COVID-19 is caused by a virus. Our study highlighted the need to have all quarantined persons educated about the disease for which they are being quarantined. It also provided the opportunity to raise awareness of COVD-19 among the inmates.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and misconceptions in the general population of Katsina State, Nigeria

“…Okoro et al (2020) observed that inmates of a custodian centre in Enugu state, Nigeria, that attained higher level of education were more knowledgeable about COVID-19 than other inmates. The positive correlation between the scores of COVID-19 knowledge and education level of the respondents perhaps reflects their source of information on the disease and how they understood the information.…”

“…Since the positive response rate to the question (Q6) increased with increasing level of education ( Supplementary Table 1) like the average knowledge score (Table 3), enlightenment programmes on asymptomatic transmission should be included in local health promotional campaigns, targeting especially those with lower levels of education. Okoro et al (2020) observed that inmates of a custodian centre in Enugu state, Nigeria, that attained higher level of education were more knowledgeable about COVID-19 than other inmates. The positive correlation between the scores of COVID-19 knowledge and education level of the respondents perhaps reflects their source of information on the disease and how they understood the information.…”

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) and Misconceptions in the General Population of Katsina State, Nigeria

“…Since the positive response rate to the question (Q6) increased with increasing level of education (Supplementary Table 1) like the average knowledge score (Table 2), enlightenment programmes on asymptomatic transmission should be included in local health promotional campaigns, targeting especially those with lower levels of education. Okoro et al (2020) observed that inmates of a custodian centre in Enugu state, Nigeria that attained higher level of education were more knowledgeable about COVID-19 than other inmates. The positive correlation between the scores of COVID-19 knowledge and education level of the respondents perhaps reflects their source of information on the disease and how they understood the information.…”

The Psychological Impact and Associated Factors of COVID-19 on the General Public in Hunan, China

“…29 Limited disease knowledge may aggravate psychological distress and emotional responses. 30 Therefore, coping styles and disease awareness play a significant role in handling the psychological stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.…”