Statistical Evaluation of Respondents’ Temperature, Covid-19 Status and Selected Socio-Demographic Variables in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Global health has been a major cause for concern ever since the coronavirus disease emerged in December 2019. COVID-19 symptoms include an elevated body temperature above the normal, and preventive measures against the causative agent involve social distancing, the use of face masks, and frequent hand washing. This study evaluates respondents’ temperature and COVID status to reduce the risk of SARs-Cov-2 infection. The risk of infection was estimated using a logistic regression model for inferential analysis. Data for this study was collected through a cross-sectional survey that started in March 31, 2020 and ended in April 30, 2020 at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in Lagos. The study comprised 2160 participants, of whom 1147 (53.1%) were women and 1013 (46.9%) were men. Among them, 69 (3.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with five participants (7.2%) exhibiting elevated body temperature, while 64 (92.8%) participants had normal body temperature. Although gender did not have a significant effect on body temperature (p > 0.05), female participants were 1.5 times more likely to have a normal temperature for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The temperature of participants was significantly affected by their age (p < 0.05), with odds of having a normal body temperature to detect SARS-CoV-2 being 0.34 times lower for participants aged ≤ 49 years. The mode of transportation used also had a significant effect on the temperature condition of participants (p < 0.05). Participants who walked to the testing center were 2.26 times more likely to have a normal body temperature for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the COVID-19 status of participants had a significant effect on their temperature (p < 0.05). This study found that participants who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 were 3.33 times more likely to have a normal body temperature. These results support the notion that asymptomatic transmission is a critical factor in the overall incidence of COVID-19. Furthermore, these findings are consistent with those of other studies conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. The study's findings on the limitations of temperature as a sole indicator of COVID-19 infection and the potential role of asymptomatic transmission have implications for sustainability in public health. By informing targeted resource allocation, emphasizing holistic approaches to disease management, and promoting effective communication, these findings contribute to sustainable strategies for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and supporting the overall well-being of communities. The findings of this study can be extended to address broader concerns regarding sustainability and its implications for public health in Nigeria.