Knowledge, perception and practices toward COVID-19 among care receivers attending a university medical center in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Knowledge is one of the contributing factors formulating the perception and attitude of people towards disease outbreaks, which in turn drives compliance to effective prevention and control measures. The current cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, perception and practices (KPP) towards COVID-19 pandemic among care receivers attending Ahmadu Bello University medical center (ABUMC) in Zaria, Nigeria.

Methods: Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires which covered demographic characteristics and related KPP questions. Responses were tabulated, frequencies and percentages were computed for descriptive purposes, while independent t-test and ANOVA were used to depict statistical differences between demographic groups.

Results: Among the 150 participants who answered the questionnaires, 58.7% were female, 62.0% were undergraduate students at various level of studies, 25.5% held a bachelor degree, about half of them (52.7%) never married, and have mean age of 29.90 ±10.66 years. Majority of the participants, especially women are knowledgeable about COVID-19 with overall mean knowledge score of 4.91 ±1.68 (70.14%). Similarly, 16-25years age range, and higher educational status were found to possess significantly (p<0.05) higher mean knowledge score. They hold positive perceptions, and have correct practices towards COVID-19 prevention. However, significant proportion of the participants (12.0%) believed that the disease does not exist in Nigeria.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that, majority of the care receivers attending ABUMC have good knowledge, perception and practices toward COVID-19. Nevertheless, certain knowledge gaps and bad practices toward the pandemic were equally identified, which highlight the need to reiterate targeted health awareness campaigns about the pandemic in Nigeria.