Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: November | Volume: 11 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 230-243
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20211128
Knowledge and Perception of the Risk of Contracting Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Adult Nigerians
Afocha E. E1, Oladele D. A2, Ajibaye O3, Musa A Z4, Ohihoin A. G2, Otuonye N. M5, Igbasi U. T1, David A. N2, Odunukwe N. N2, Audu R. A6, Ezechi O. C2, Salako B. L2
1Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Microbiology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
2Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
3Biochemistry Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
4Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
5Central Public Health Laboratory, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
6Center for Human Virology, Microbiology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Oladele, David Ayoola
ABSTRACT
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered a major public health challenge of this century. The disease caused by the virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a pandemic that has caused severe morbidity and mortality globally including Africa with the limited ability of requisite public health response. Therefore, this survey aims to assess the knowledge and risk perception of COVID-19 among the general public in Nigeria following an index case confirmation in the country. This is an online cross-sectional survey among the general adult population in Nigeria aged 18 years and above. Study variables were summarized using descriptive statistical methods while bivariate analysis was done to determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and outcome variables. Out of 254 respondents who participated in this study, (50.6%) were males and (49.4%) were females. The most stated source of information on COVID-19 was social media (88.5%). More than half (69.3.%) had good knowledge of COVID-19, less than one-third (26.0 %) had average knowledge while just a few had poor knowledge (4.7%) of the disease. Risk perception among the respondents was low and evenly distributed. There was no statistically significant association between, education, gender, and employment status of the respondents and good knowledge of COVID-19. The study suggests that a considerable proportion of respondents have adequate knowledge and awareness related to COVID-19. However, respondent's risk perception of contracting the disease was low. There is a need therefore for robust enlightenment through effective behavioral change communication campaigns.
Key words: Knowledge, Perception, Risk, COVID-19, Nigeria.