Factors Influencing Willingness to Comply with Public Health Measures for COVID-19 Among Incoming Air Travelers Into Nigeria from High-Risk Countries: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background: Complying with guidelines established to control COVID-19 pandemic is critical to the successful outcome of the response. We assessed the willingness of non-symptomatic incoming international air travelers into Nigeria to comply with COVID-19 public health measures upon arrival and identified the factors influencing them- March 2020. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 500 incoming international air travelers involving 17 nationals across four major international airports in Nigeria using a pre-tested self-administered electronic questionnaire. We estimated the proportions and determined predictors of participants’ willingness to comply with the COVID-19 preventive measures. Predictors were examined using multiple logistic regression at 5% level of significance.Results: Majority (83%) were extremely/very willing to comply with public health guidelines. Perception of severity was a significant predictor of their willingness to stay at home for 14 days upon arrival (AOR: 6.82, 95 CI%: 1.19-24.45). Self -efficacy towards observing self for COVID-19 symptoms was a significant predictor of willingness to observe self for symptoms (AOR: 6.82, 95%CI: 1.19-24.45), and willingness to call of national COVID-19 numbers if symptoms develop (AOR: 6.82, 95% CI: 1.19-24.45). Conclusion: There is a need to improve risk communication interventions against COVID-19 for international air travelers particularly enhancing self-efficacy to improve their compliance to public health measures