Open AccessFactors affecting willingness to comply with public health measures during the pandemic among sub-Sahara Africans
Author(s) -
Obinwaeze,
Raymond Langsi,
Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu,
Richard Oloruntoba,
Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo,
Emmanuel Kwasi Abu,
Chikasirimobi G Timothy,
Deborah Donald Charwe,
Bernadine N. Ekpenyong,
Khathutshelo Percy Mashige,
Piwuna Christopher Goson,
Tanko Ishaya,
Kingsley Agho
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
african health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.391
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1729-0503
pISSN - 1680-6905
DOI - 10.4314/ahs.v21i4.17
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , environmental health , public health , hygiene , quarantine , cross sectional study , demography , multivariate analysis , population , outbreak , covid-19 , socioeconomics , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , nursing , pathology , virology , sociology
Background: The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide, resulting in extraordinary measures put in place in various countries including Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries.
Objective: To assess the factors associated with compliance with the public health measures imposed by various SSA countries.
Method: Cross sectional study using self-administered surveys distributed on social media platforms between April 18th and May 16th, 2020, corresponding with the mandatory lockdown period in most SSA countries. Multivariate analysis examined theassociated factors.
Results: The prevalence of hand hygiene, quarantine, self isolation practices, wearing of face mask and attending large gatherings during COVID-19 were 94%, 39%, 31%, 64% and 14%, respectively. In multivariate models, older age 49+ years: adjusted OR2.13, 95%CI 1.22,3.71), females (OR 1.41,95%CI 1.03,1.93), Central African countries (OR 3.73,95%CI 2.02,6.87) were associated with wearing face mask. Living alone (aOR 1.52,95%CI 1.04,2.24) during the lockdown was associated with avoiding large gatherings including religious events. Female respondents (aOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.30, 2.00), married (aOR 1.71,95%CI 1.33,2.21) and unemployed (aOR 1.62,95%CI 1.25,2.09) SSAs were more likely to practice self-quarantine measures.
Conclusion: The low prevalence of mitigation practices suggest the need for targeted education campaign programs to sensitise the population.
Keywords: Facemask; Handwashing; Self-isolation; Mitigation; Survey monkey; Pandemic; Lockdown; West Africa; Eastern Africa; South Africa; Nigeria.