Knowledge Attitude and Preventive Practices towards Infection by Severe Respiratory Syndrome-CoV-2 among Residents of Kogi State during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Global spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic constitute a public health threat requiring strict infection prevention practice for every individual in the community. Control measures have been prescribed to check the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Whether populations in these communities adhere optimally to these control measures depends on a number of factors. This study aimed to assess health knowledge and attitude, and preventive practices regarding Infection by SARS-Cov-2 among residents of Kogi State during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of Kogi State. Using the authors’ internal connections with the Kogi residents, 865 residents were recruited into the study via simple random sampling method. The data were collected by an online questionnaire designed by Google form which was adapted from a study in China. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 at various levels with p value at < 0.05.

Results: Among 865 questionnaires sent out, 639 were filled completely and returned given a respondent rate of 73.9%. Of the 12 questions on knowledge, the mean overall correct answers was 9.9 given overall correct rate of the participants’ knowledge of 82.5%. 88.4% of the respondents had confidence that Nigeria can win the battle against COVID-19. Just about 52.6% of the participants wore masks when going out in recent days. In multiple binary logistic regression analyses, there was significant statistical association between the COVID-19 knowledge score, and a lower likelihood of negative attitudes (OR: 0.87-3.98, P<0.001) and preventive practices towards COVID-19(OR: 0.53-0.67, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Health education training to improving COVID-19 knowledge is needed for Kogi residents to have optimistic attitudes and maintain appropriate preventive practices.