Attitude and practice towards COVID-19 infection: prevention and control in Northwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which the World Health Organization has since declared a pandemic. People’s attitudes and practices towards the prevention and control of an outbreak can play a significant role in its control. In this cross-sectional survey about 2228 participants were recruited to assess the attitudes and practices of some urban residents on COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in the Northwestern region of Nigeria between August-November, 2021. Consented respondents were recruited using convenience sampling. Data obtained using questionnaires were analyzed and the Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between attitude and practice with respect to respondents’ demographic variables. On participants’ attitude, 82.9% believed that COVID-19 is real, 82.4% complied with recommended burial practices, and 73.6% agreed to not travelling to COVID-19 affected areas. However, 76.7% avoided their family or friend infected with the disease, 47.2% preferred traditional remedies in COVID-19 treatment, and 60.6% believed that COVID-19 was engineered in the laboratory. On transmission, 51.5% believed they could be infected with the disease from animals, or faeces (50.0%). Participants recorded good practice towards persons with COVID-19 signs and symptoms (59.6%), hand washing (81.2%), and type of hand washing (72.5%). Whereas, practices on self-protection and spread prevention, and close contact with an infected person were poor. The study showed a significant relationship between practice and age group, education, and occupation. Attitude and practices of the participant towards COVID-19 prevention and control measures need improvement in the region.