header

A Preliminary Assessment of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge and Perceptions in Nigeria

14 Pages Posted: 5 May 2020 Publication Status: Preprint

See all articles by Peter O. Olapegba

Peter O. Olapegba

University of Ibadan - Department of Psychology

Olusola Ayandele

The Polytechnic, Ibadan; University of Ibadan - Faculty of Public Health

Samson O. Kolawole

Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil Kano; University of Ibadan - Department of Psychology

Rotimi Oguntayo

University of Ilorin

Joshua C. Gandi

University of Jos - Department of Psychology

Abdullahi L. Dangiwa

Federal University Dutse - Department of Sociology

Iboro F. A. Ottu

University of Uyo (UNIUYO) - Department of Psychology

Steven Kator Iorfa

University of Nigeria - Department of Psychology

Abstract

This study assessed knowledge and perceptions about COVID-19 among the general public in Nigeria during the initial week of the pandemic lockdown in the country. From March 28 to April 4, 2020, this cross-sectional survey used an anonymous online questionnaire to collect data from respondents within Nigeria. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit 1357 respondents, aged 15-70 years, from 180 cities and towns within Nigeria. Study data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Approximately more than half (57.02%) of the respondents were male with high level of education (48.86% bachelor’s degree or higher). Approximately half of the respondents (46.94%) opined that COVID-19 was “a biological weapon designed by the Chinese government.” About 94% of the respondents identified “contact with airborne droplets via breathing, sneezing, or coughing” as the most common mode of transmission; most respondents associated COVID-19 with coughing (81.13%), shortness of breath (73.47%) and fever (62.79%). “Regular hand washing and social distancing” was selected by most respondents (94.25%) as a way of preventing infection whereas 11.86% reported “consuming gins, garlic, ginger, herbal mixtures and African foods/soups” as preventive measures against COVID-19. Majority of the respondents (91.73%) thought COVID-19 is deadly; and most respondents (84.3%) got 4 or more answers correctly. It was also observed that the traditional media (TV/Radio) are the most common source of health information about COVID-19 (93.5%). Findings revealed that Nigerians have relatively high knowledge, mostly derived from traditional media, about COVID-19. Their perceptions of COVID-19 bear implications across public health initiatives, compliance with precautionary behavior as well as bilateral relations with foreign nations. Evidence-based campaign should be intensified to remove misconceptions and promote precautionary measures.

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the Faculty of Social Sciences Ethical Board, University of Ibadan.

Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, contagion, infection prevention, media

Suggested Citation

Olapegba, Peter O. and Ayandele, Olusola and Kolawole, Samson O. and Oguntayo, Rotimi and Gandi, Joshua C. and Dangiwa, Abdullahi L. and Ottu, Iboro F. A. and Iorfa, Steven Kator, A Preliminary Assessment of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge and Perceptions in Nigeria. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3584408 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3584408

Peter O. Olapegba

University of Ibadan - Department of Psychology ( email )

Nigeria

Olusola Ayandele

The Polytechnic, Ibadan ( email )

Department of General Studies
Ibadan, Oyo 20024
Nigeria

University of Ibadan - Faculty of Public Health

Department of Psychology
University of Ibadan
Ibadan, Oyo 20024
Nigeria

Samson O. Kolawole

Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil Kano ( email )

Department of Psychology
P.M.B. 3474
Kano, Kano 700104
Nigeria

University of Ibadan - Department of Psychology ( email )

Nigeria

Rotimi Oguntayo

University of Ilorin ( email )

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
Ilorin, KS Kwara State 0834
Nigeria

Joshua C. Gandi

University of Jos - Department of Psychology

Jos
Nigeria

Abdullahi L. Dangiwa

Federal University Dutse - Department of Sociology ( email )

Dutse
Nigeria

Iboro F. A. Ottu

University of Uyo (UNIUYO) - Department of Psychology

Ikpa Rd
Uyo
Nigeria

Steven Kator Iorfa (Contact Author)

University of Nigeria - Department of Psychology ( email )

Nsukka
Nigeria

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
682
Abstract Views
5,528
PlumX Metrics