Perception, Impact and Coping Strategies to COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria
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Date
2021
Authors
Akintuyi, A.
Badru, G.
Fashoto, B.
Sobanke, D.
Oladipo, R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd.
Abstract
This study assesses the awareness, perception, impact, and coping strategies of Nigerians to the COVID-19 pandemic with a view to clarify the poor adherence to the preventive measures. Data were collected through the questionnaires administered online and the anonymous telephone interviews conducted with 275 respondents in five states between June 8 and July 15, 2020. The data acquired were subjected to descriptive analysis technique. The study shows that all the respondents were cognizant of the COVID-19 pandemic and the common symptoms of the virus such as fever (84.7%) and dry cough (84.7%). In addition, they were aware of the transmission pathways of the virus including droplets from infected persons (78.5%) and through infected surfaces (58.6%). With respect to their perceptions, a substantial proportion (13%) of the respondents felt the virus was not in Nigeria, because about 72% of this proportion has not seen or heard of anybody who has contracted the disease. Majority of the respondents (62.1%) do not also believe in the daily updates by the PTF/NCDC, with most of them feeling that the numbers are inflated (52.1%) and politicized (55.8%). In terms of the impact of the pandemic, about 81% of the respondents opined that the social distancing restrictions have affected their livelihood. The respondents (80.9%), however, feel that the lockdown was necessary because it reduced the rate of spread of the virus (68.9%) and provided government more time to plan (41.9%). In terms of the adopted coping strategies, most of the respondents opined that they used the period to learn new things (57%) and prayed that the situation gets better (61%) among others. The poor adherence to the preventive measures imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus can therefore be attributed to the expression of distrust among the populace. This calls for a nation-wide advocacy for adherence and then strict enforcement of the preventive measures.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Perception , Awareness , COVID-19 , Pandemic , Nigeria , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES
Citation
Akintuyi, A., Badru, G., Fashoto, B., Sobanke, D., and Oladipo, R. (2021). Perception, Impact and Coping Strategies to COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. In Bammeke, F., Akinleye, S. O. and Ayeni, A. O. (Eds.), The social impact of COVID-19 on Nigerians: Experiences, Lessons and Reflections (pp203 – 228). University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd.