Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of COVID 19 Pandemic among Residents of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 with its high mortality is particularly worrisome. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and perception of this disease among the urban and rural communities in Abuja, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional community-based study was conducted among adults in Gwagwalada Area Council in Abuja, Nigeria during the pandemic. Face to face interviews applying the use of face mask and face shield were conducted during the period of intra-state lockdown lifting in Abuja from 1st to 30th June 2020.
Results: Awareness of the disease was high (94.8.7%) among the 1,740 respondents interviewed and so was knowledge on the mode of transmission and prevention. There was a strong positive relationship with sex, educational level and place of residence with mode of transmission, OR: 0.682, p=0.007, CI 0.517-0.901 for sex, OR: 6.591, p=0.000, CI 4.457-9.746 for level of education, and OR: 3.139, p=0.000,
CI 2.328-4.234 for place of residence. Same was also seen with educational level and place of residence for prevention of infection, OR: 7.81, p=0.000, CI 5.20-11.74) for level of education, and (OR: 1.63, p=0.000, CI 1.24-2.15) for place of residence. Majority (1402; 80.6%) had
neither seen nor known anybody with the disease, and there was still a lot of stigma, misinformation/misconception about the disease.
Conclusion: Awareness, knowledge on mode of transmission, and prevention of COVID19 was high and strongly associated with level of education and place of residence. Debunking misinformation is required for effective fight against COVID-19.

Keywords: Coronavirus Disease 2019, Knowledge, Attitude, Perception, Pandemic, Residents.