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Cross-sectional Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towardsthe COVID-19 Pandemic During the Lockdown Period in Nigeria


Peter I. Ogunyinka
Kazeem A. Adeleke
Oluwatobi Banjo
Dawud Adebayo Agunbiade

Abstract

People’s knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) have beenfound to besignificant metrics of success against the spread of COVID-19. A few studies have equally evaluated Nigerians’ KAP towards COVID-19 but were limited to one geo-political zone or selected cities in Nigeria. This study investigated the KAP of Nigerians towardsthe COVID-19 pandemic, covering all the36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Survey data were collected through and online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 7 demographic variables, 6 knowledge-based questions, 5 attitude-based questions and 5 practice-based questions on COVID-19. The statistical analysis methods used included Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, multiple linear regression, Chi-square test of independence and logistic regression models, accordingly. A total of 1320 respondents completed the questionnaire during the study period (between March 31 and April 28, 2020 inclusively). Among these respondents, 54.2% were male, 64.2% were between 25 and 54 years and 33.2% were involved in physical labour. There was overall a low percentage (45%) of correct knowledge (CK) about the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria when compared with China. This was suspected to be associated with infodemic. In general, there was more incorrect knowledge (IK) than CK of COVID-19 among the respondents. Theoverall percentage (67%) of correct practices (CP) against COVID-19was reported as being moderate. Findings revealed the need for the Nigerian government to control the practice of going to worship places and/or parties during the pandemic. Recommendation on strategic KAP towardsCOVID-19, infodemic control, suicide or self-harm prevention and non-Nigerian discrimination sensitization programme were provided in the study.


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print ISSN: 2315-6317