James O Adefisoye*1, Martins A. Adefisoye2, Mary A Bisi-Johnson3, Florence George4
Background: People’s behavior and compliance with COVID-19 control measures is associated with their knowledge, attitude and perceptions (KAP). To this end, we investigated the KAP among people from diverse populations towards the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined the impact of the outbreak on their livelihoods.
Methods: A cross sectional study with the adoption of a 31-item questionnaire divided into five sections namely demographics, knowledge, attitudes, perception and effect on livelihood. Six countries were considered with Australia, United Kingdom and USA in developed countries category; India, Nigeria and South Africa were considered in developing countries category. Reponses were compared by development status.
Results: A total of 577 responses were received with 55.5% female and 49% below the age of 35 years. Respondents from developed countries had significantly better knowledge than their counterparts from developing countries on majority (67%) of the items including symptoms, high risk groups, transmission routes and treatment options for COVID-19. Majority of respondents from both groups were genuinely worried as expected in pandemics. Their top two concerns were lack of cure and inadequate medical facilities. All respondents perceive COVID-19 as a serious public health challenge. Developing countries had more respondents employed in private sector and experienced higher job loss rate (13.2%) than developing countries (7.0%). Most persons from developing countries disagree that their governments are doing enough to provide financial and material support to the citizens.
Conclusion: Knowledge gaps were identified, particularly in developing countries. Attitudes and perceptions are mostly comparable between both groups. Health education programs can help improve people’s perception and attitude toward the disease. We encourage the governments to develop economic initiatives to stem the effect of the disease on people’s livelihoods.