ABSTRACT
Background & aim: Reducing the rate of COVID-19 transmission and infection has remained as a major public health priority in pregnancy, while the Safe Motherhood Initiative aims at attaining optimal maternal and new-born health, reduction in maternal mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to assess knowledge and level of adherence towards COVID-19 preventive measures as well as identifying the factors influencing the level of adherence among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design involving 442 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic between August 15th and September 30th, 2020 in a tertiary health facility in South West Nigeria. Respondents were selected through a two-stage sampling technique and answered to an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data obtained from 431 pregnant (97.5% response rate) were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Findings showed that 31.6% of the pregnant women had good knowledge about COVID-19 prevention, 48.0% had fair knowledge and 20.4% had poor knowledge. Also, 78.0% had high level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and 14.2% moderately adhere while 7.9% had low level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Regression analysis revealed that high level adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures was significantly associated with Hausa (p=0.03, RRR=0.03, CI=0.001-0.76) and Igbo ethnicity (p=0.01, RRR=0.05, 0.005-0.51), while moderate adherence was significantly associated with secondary education (p=0.04, RRR=5.25, CI= 1.06-26.18). Conclusion: Improving adherence to preventive measures against COVID-19 among pregnant women requires advocacy that prioritize women's education and address various forms of ethnic and cultural misconceptions about COVID-19 infection.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has become a threat to the existence of man as no method of effective treatment has been found. Although the WHO has given guidelines that include social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it cannot be practiced in a commercial motorcycle operation, which is a major source of income and means of transportation in Nigeria. We examined the COVID-19 knowledge, awareness, and preventive practices among commercial motorcycle operators (CMOs) and the potentials for community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the South-South region of Nigeria. Data used was collected from a cross-sectional survey of 777 CMOs operating in the South-South region of Nigeria. The instrument captured information on their biodata, knowledge, awareness, and preventive practices of COVID-19. The data obtained were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics using SAS JMP Statistical Discovery™ software version 14.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA). The majority of the CMOs were of age category 26-35 years (36.4%), married (82.1%), under a monogamous union (83.8%), had 3-4 children (43.4%) and resided in rural areas (60.8%). The mean years of experience of the CMOs was 4.9 ± 2.45 years with most depending on daily income of N1,000-2,000 (87.6%). All the CMOs were aware of the existence of COVID-19, but 93.3% of them did not believe it existed in their state. Only 37.8% of them put on facemasks while on duty, although they were aware that they could be infected or infect others in the community. Prevention practices among CMOs were significantly predicted by age category, type of family, number of dependents, and place of residence. We conclude that CMOs have high potentials for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the communities because the business does not permit social distancing. It is recommended that guidelines requiring mandatory screening of operators and riders be implemented.