Perception and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban community in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Various perceptions and practices have been associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we assessed the perception and practices regarding COVID-19 among residents in selected urban communities of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design using a multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 360 respondents (Mean age: 33.2 ± 10.6 years; 62.5% females) from households in Ibadan. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire from 3rd to 6th June 2020. Those who demonstrated washing of the palm, back of the hand, spaces between the fingers, fingernails, wrist, and thumbs had six points and were categorized to have had a good practice of handwashing. Descriptive statistics were conducted. Bivariate analyses of sociodemographic characteristics and good handwashing practices were conducted using Chi-square test. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the determinants of good handwashing practices. P-values < 0.05 were statistically significant. Results Going to the hospital (95%) and calling the COVID-19 help number (58.3%) were the frequently reported practices among respondents following the development of COVID-19 symptoms. Also, 89 (26%) knew they could contract COVID-19, while 41 (12%) perceived it as an exaggerated event. The effects most frequently reported by respondents were hunger/low income (48.8%) and academic delay (8.8%). Use of face masks by 64.5% and social distancing (48%) were the most frequently reported practices for prevention. Only 71 (20.8%) demonstrated good handwashing practices. The perception of the likelihood to contract COVID-19 and practices to prevent COVID-19 had a weak correlation of 0.239 (p < 0.001). Conclusion Gaps exist in the practices that prevent COVID-19. There is a need to improve handwashing, use of face masks and other practices that prevent COVID-19. Implications across public health communication and policies were stated.

Knowledge and Level of Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures: A Bi-national Web-based Survey in Africa 

“…Despite the satisfactory knowledge of the disease, the respondents' adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures was poor as only (43 %) Egyptians and (40 %) Nigerians had satisfactory level of adherence to the preventive measures. This corroborates other reports in Nigeria (11) and Egypt (5) where the level of adherence was poor. Though not surprising, respondents who had medical background, followed by scienti c have more satisfactory knowledge and level of adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures compared to those with nomedical or scienti c background.…”

“…The poor knowledge of Nigerians might be due to the fact that most (80 %) do not know anyone who has ever been infected with the virus, that about half of the respondents (49 %) think that COVID-19 is a hoax in Nigeria and some (29 %) do not believe the virus is in Nigeria. This supports an earlier study in Nigeria (11) where most of the respondents live in denial of the existence of the disease. In contrast, most Egyptians (66 %) have either been infected or know someone who has been infected with the virus, only a few (14 %) feels COVID-19 is a hoax as well as very few (6 %) do not believe the virus is in Egypt.…”

“…Government and policy makers are encouraged to provide palliatives and appropriate measures to cushion these effects on their citizens. In line with our study, most respondents from a previous study (11) in Nigeria also identi ed low income as the major effect of COVID-19. While most dental students in Turkey (74.5 %) identi ed that the pandemic negatively affected their psychology (12).…”

Dealing with vaccine hesitancy in Africa: the prospective COVID-19 vaccine context

“…The response activities thus far have included, testing, border closure, school closure, recommendations on physical distancing, use of face masks, hand hygiene in public places, and public health campaigns on the existence of COVID-19. However, till date, many persons deny the existence of COVID-19, while others perceive it as a strategy for political corruption despite the public health campaigns [ 8 ]. Despite the misnomer, the existence of COVID-19 cannot be completely denied even among doubting individuals due to the large number of deaths that have been linked to COVID-19 in recent times.…”

Infection prevention and control during COVID-19 pandemic: realities from health care workers in a north central state in Nigeria

“…The development of vaccines and medical research for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is ongoing, however, the demand for regular provision of health care keeps rising [ 1 ]. The provision of quality health care during the COVID-19 pandemic depends largely on the health of health care workers (HCWs).…”