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. 2021 Feb 5:fmab002. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmab002

COVID-19: Knowledge of Mode of Spread and Preventive Practices among College Adolescents in Nigeria

Ann E Aronu 1, Awoere T Chinawa 2, Edmund N Ossai 3, Vivian O Onukwuli 1, Josephat M Chinawa 1,
PMCID: PMC7928588  PMID: 33544871

Abstract

Background

Corona virus pandemic (COVID 19) has emerged as the single most important topical issue and poses a challenge to medicine. Adolescent school children are exposed to a varying degree.

Objectives

The study is aimed to determine the knowledge of the mode of spread and preventive practices among college adolescents attending six secondary schools in Enugu metropolis.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 6 secondary schools among 500 college adolescents. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results

Majority of the respondents, 98.4% were aware of COVID-19. Although, a higher proportion of the respondents, 52.0% were aware COVID-19 could be transmitted through contact with infected persons, only a minor proportion of them, 42.4% had a good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19. However, a high proportion of the respondents, 69.2% practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19. Also, respondents whose parents were self-employed were 1.4 times more likely to have good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19 when compared with those whose parents were on paid employment [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9–2.0]. The respondents whose fathers have attained tertiary education were 1.6 times more likely to have good preventive practices against COVID-19 when compared with those who had secondary school and below (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.04–2.5).

Conclusion

Though college adolescents were aware of COVID-19, not a significant proportion practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19. Knowledge of mode of spread and preventive practices were significantly enhanced by fathers’ educational status and being a female adolescent child.

Keywords: college adolescents, COVID 19, mode of spread, preventive practice

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This has now become a pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality [1]. Since the 31st day of December 2019 and up to 19 September 2020, the time of this report; thirty million, five hundred and forty thousand, four hundred and forty-six cases of COVID-19 have been reported, including 952 724 deaths [2]. Fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, shortness of breath and dyspnea are noted symptoms of COVID-19 [3, 4].

Some studies have shown good knowledge of COVID 19. For instance, Al-Hanawi et al. [5] noted a high knowledge score of 17.96 in a scale of 22 in their subjects. Several studies have shown satisfactory levels of knowledge but all these studies are among the adult population [6, 7].

A study has shown that 98% of people also are aware of the clinical symptoms of COVID 19, but only half of the respondents knew this disease could spread from person-to-person in close contact [7, 8].

Similarly, 56% of their study population had no knowledge of masking as a means of preventing infection [7].

There are three major prongs in the prevention of COVID 19. These include wearing of face mask, hand washing and social distancing. Wearing of face mask is noted as one of the preventive measures against COVID 19 and has been seen to be very protective. A study has reported that face masks were 79% effective in preventing transmission [9]. Although it is noted that wearing masks after illness onset does not protect against the infection, a study noted that the use of face mask has shown reduction of infection among families living with someone in isolation or quarantine [10].

Moreover, the use of face masks has been recommended in the community in the USA [10]. They opined that universal face mask use has the potential to reduce outward transmission from infected but asymptomatic people, as well as protect children from becoming infected.

The use of face mask in this locale is not really imbibed as people are seen either not wearing the mask or hanging it in their chin while going about their business.

Strict adherence to the three prong measures of prevention may not be followed by the college adolescents. This could cause surge in number of cases and deaths among these students. The study is thus aimed to determine the knowledge of the mode of spread and preventive practices among college adolescents. The study will help to make policies in secondary schools especially now that preparations are being made for school reopening.

METHODS

Study area

The study was carried out in six different secondary schools located in Enugu metropolis. The schools were drawn from urban and semi urban areas.

Study design

A descriptive cross-sectional study among college adolescents attending secondary schools in Enugu Metropolis.

Study population

A total of 500 college adolescents from 6 secondary schools were consecutively enrolled into the study. The objectives of the study were explained to the students and information in the proforma of study was described to the adolescents.

Inclusion criteria

Adolescents present at the time of study in the selected secondary schools and who gave consent were enrolled into the study.

Exclusion criteria

Adolescents who did not give consent were excluded from the study.

Sample size determination

The sample size of 500 college adolescents was estimated using the formula [11]: N=Z2(PQ)/d2

Sampling technique

Adolescent students who were included in the study were selected by a two-stage sampling technique. Number of students in the colleges in Enugu metropolis were drawn from a list comprising three local government areas in the metropolis. This was ranked in terms of number of students in the schools. This was done separately for public and private secondary schools in each of the three local government areas. Based on this ranking, the first six schools in the three local government areas were selected. Using a simple random sampling technique of balloting, one private and one public secondary school was selected from each of the three local government areas in the metropolis. This served as the first stage.

List of all students in senior secondary class three and junior secondary class three was made in the second stage. (These are the two classes allowed by the Government of Nigeria to return to school to complete their terminal exams in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic). Nine thousand, nine hundred and sixty-three students in the two classes from the six selected schools were selected. This is the sampling frame. Sampling interval was obtained by dividing the sampling frame by the sample size of 500, hence a sampling interval of 4 was used. In this regard, every 4th student was recruited for the study, based on the sitting arrangement of the students on each day of data collection. The index student for any day data collection was selected using a simple random sampling technique of balloting.

Study instrument

A pretested and validated interviewer administered questionnaire was used in the study. Information obtained included: biodata, occupation and educational level of both parents, class of the adolescent, and perception of and prevention of COVID 19.

Ethical consideration and consent

Ethical clearance was sought and obtained from the ethics committee of UNTH Ituku-Ozalla Enugu on 12th October 2020. Approval for the study was obtained from the principals of the six secondary schools. Verbal consent was also sought and obtained from the parents or guardians of the students. Verbal consent was also obtained from the students.

Data analysis

Data entry and analysis were done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 25. Continuous variables were summarized using mean and SD, while categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and proportions. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression were used in the analysis and the level of statistical significance was determined using a p-value of < 0.05.

The outcome measures of the study included good knowledge of mode of spread of COVID-19 and good preventive practices against COVID-19. Knowledge of mode of spread of COVID-19 was assessed using five variables. For each respondent, a correct answer was assigned a score of one while an incorrect answer was given a score of zero. Respondents that correctly answered ≥60% of the five variables were regarded as having good knowledge of spread of COVID-19 while those that scored less than 60% were classified as having poor knowledge.

Preventive practices against COVID-19 was assessed using 10 variables. For each of the variables, a correct answer was given a score of one and an incorrect answer a score of zero. Respondents that correctly answered ≥60% of the 10 variables used to assess preventive practices against COVID-19 were regarded as having good preventive practice while those that scored less than 60% were classified as having poor preventive practice.

In determining the predictors of good knowledge of spread of COVID-19 and good preventive practices against COVID-19, variables that had a p value of <0.2 on bivariate analysis were entered into the logistic regression model. The result of the logistic regression analysis was presented using adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and level of statistical significance was determined by a p value of <0.05.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. The mean age of the respondents was 15.1 ± 1.7 years and a higher proportion of the respondents, 57.8% were 15 years and above. A higher proportion of the respondents, 56.4% were females. Majority of the students, 64.8% were in junior secondary three class. The highest proportion of the parents of the respondents, 35.0% were in the upper socio-economic class.

Table 1.

Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents

Variables Frequency (n = 500) Percent (%)
Age of respondents
 Mean ± SD 15.1 ± 1.7
Age of respondents in groups
 <15 years 211 42.2
 ≥15 years 289 57.8
Gender
 Male 218 43.6
 Female 282 56.4
Educational attainment of Father
 No formal education 20 4.0
 Primary education 120 24.0
 Secondary education 44 8.8
 Tertiary education 316 63.2
Employment status of mother
 Unemployed 32 6.4
 Self-employed 254 50.8
 Salaried employment 214 42.8
Class of study
 Junior secondary class 3 324 64.8
 Senior secondary class 3 176 35.2
Socio-economic class
 Upper socio-economic class 175 35.0
 Middle socio-economic class 197 39.4
 Lower socio-economic class 128 25.6

Table 2 shows the awareness of COVID-19 among the respondents. Majority of the respondents, 98.4% were aware of COVID-19. The major sources of information on COVID-19 include local television channels, 33.3%, foreign television channels, 28.3% and newspapers, 23.2%. The major symptoms of COVID-19 as identified by the respondents included cough, 68.8%. Fever 62.4% and difficulty in breathing, 57.8%.

Table 2.

Awareness of COVID-19 among the respondents

Variables Frequency (n = 500) Percent (%)
Awareness of COVID-19
 Yes 492 98.4
 No 8 1.6
Source of informationa (n = 492)
 Local television channels 164 33.3
 Foreign television channels 139 28.3
 Newspapers 114 23.2
 Whatsapp/Telegram 108 22.0
 Neighbors/friends 104 21.1
 Text messages from NCDCb 103 20.9
 Facebook 84 17.1
 Government website 81 16.5
 Local radio stations 79 16.1
 Twitter 48 9.8
Symptoms of COVID-19a
 Cough 344 68.8
 Fever 312 62.4
 Difficulty in breathing 289 57.8
 Sneezing 279 55.8
 Headache 197 39.4
 Runny nose 171 34.2
 Muscle pain 144 28.8
 Loss of appetite 143 28.6
 Fatigue/tiredness 128 25.6
 Diarrhea 77 15.4
 Joint pain 70 14.0
a

Multiple responses encouraged.

b

Nigerian Center for Disease Control.

Table 3 shows the knowledge of mode of spread of COVID-19 among the respondents. A higher proportion of the respondents, 52.0% were aware COVID-19 could be transmitted through contact with infected persons. A minor proportion of the respondents, 42.6% were aware that COVID-19 could be transmitted through sneezing, while a higher proportion, 62.6% believed that COVID-19 is not air borne. A minor proportion of the respondents, 42.4% had good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19.

Table 3.

Knowledge of spread of COVID-19 among the respondents

Variable Frequency (n = 500) Percent (%)
COVID-19 could be transmitted
Through contact with infected persons
 Yes (correct) 260 52.0
 No 240 48.0
Through sneezing
 Yes (correct) 213 42.6
 No 287 57.4
Through contact with infected surfaces
 Yes (correct) 225 45.0
 No 275 55.0
Through coughing
 Yes (correct) 196 39.2
 No 304 60.8
Airborne spread
 Yes 187 37.4
 No (correct) 313 62.6
Knowledge of spread of COVID-19
 Good knowledge 212 42.4
 Poor knowledge 288 57.6

Table 4 shows preventive practices against COVID 19 among the respondents. Majority of the students, 77.0% used a personal, alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Similarly, a higher proportion of the respondents, 71.4% washed their hands regularly with soap and water. More than half of the respondents, 55.4% always stood 6 feet apart from others in public space. Overall, a higher proportion of respondents, 69.2% practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19.

Table 4.

Preventive practices against COVID 19 among the respondents

Variables Frequency (n = 500) Percent (%)
Use of personal alcohol-based hand sanitizer
 Yes (correct) 385 77.0
 No 115 33.0
Wash hands with soap and water regularly
 Yes (correct) 357 71.4
 No 143 28.6
Changing of diet
 Yes 56 11.2
 No (Correct) 444 88.8
Wearing of face mask while leaving home
 Yes (correct) 376 75.2
 No 124 24.8
Avoid frequent touching of face/eyes/nose with hands
 Yes (correct) 248 49.6
 No 252 50.4
Stand 6 feet apart from others in public places
 Yes (correct) 277 55.4
 No 223 44.5
Avoidance of crowed places
 Yes (correct) 318 63.6
 No 182 36.4
Take medicine without prescription
 Yes 148 29.6
 No (Correct) 352 70.4
Avoidance of hand shaking with other people
 Yes (correct) 352 70.4
 No 148 29.6
Stay at home more except when necessary
 Yes (correct) 311 62.2
 No 189 37.8
Preventive practices against COVID-19
 Good preventive practices 346 69.2
 Poor preventive practices 154 30.8

Table 5 shows factors affecting good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19 among the respondents. The respondents who were males were 1.4 times less likely to have good knowledge of spread of COVID-19 when compared with those who are females. (AOR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5–1.1). Also, respondents whose parents were self-employed were 1.4 times more likely to have good knowledge of spread of COVID-19 when compared with those who were on paid employment. (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.9–2.0).

Table 5.

Factors affecting good knowledge of spread of COVID-19

Variables Knowledge of spread of COVID-19 (n = 500)
p value on bivariate analysis AOR (95% CI)a
Yes, N (%) No, N (%)
Age of respondents in groups
 <15 years 86 (40.8) 125 (59.2) 0.526 NA
 ≥15 years 126 (43.5) 163 (56.4)
Gender
 Male 81 (37.2) 137 (62.8) 0.037 0.7 (0.5- 1.1)
 Female 131 (46.5) 151 (53.5) 1
Educational attainment of father
 Tertiary education 135 (42.7) 181 (57.3) 0.849 NA
 Secondary education and below 77 (41.8) 107 (58.6)
Employment status of mother
 Unemployed 11(34.4) 21(65.6) 0.113 0.9 (0.4–1.9)
 Self-employed 119 (46.9) 135 (53.1) 1.4 (0.9–2.0)
 Salaried employment 82 (38.3) 132 (61.7) 1
Class of study
 Junior secondary class 3 144 (44.4) 180 (55.6) 0.209 NA
 Senior secondary class 3 68 (38.6) 108 (61.4)
Socio-economic class
 Upper socio-economic class 76 (43.4) 99 (56.6) 0.316 NA
 Middle socio-economic class 76 (38.6) 121 (61.4)
 Lower socio-economic class 60 (46.9) 68 (53.1)

95% CI: 95% confidence interval; NA, not applicable.

a

Adjusted odds ratio.

Table 6 shows factors affecting good preventive practices against COVID-19 among the respondents. The respondents who fathers have attained tertiary education were 1.6 times more likely to have good preventive practices against COVID-19 when compared with those who had secondary school education and below (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.04–2.5). Also, the respondents who had good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19 were 7.2 times more likely to have good preventive practices of COVID-19 when compared with those who had poor knowledge. (AOR = 7.2, 95% CI: 4.4–11.9).

Table 6.

Factors affecting good preventive practices against COVID-19 among the respondents

Variable Preventive practices against COVID-19 (n = 500)
p value on bivariate analysis AOR (95% CI)a
Yes N (%) No N (%)
Age of respondents in groups
 <15 years 146 (69.2) 65 (30.8) 1.0 NA
 ≥15 years 200 (69.2) 89 (30.8)
Gender
 Male 142 (65.1) 76 (34.8) 0.084 0.8 (0.5–1.1)
 Female 204 (72.3) 78 (27.7) 1
Educational attainment of father
 Tertiary education 228 (72.2) 88 (27.8) 0.061 1.6 (1.04–2.5)
 Secondary education and below 118 (64.1) 66 (35.9) 1
Employment status of mother
 Unemployed 19 (59.4) 13 (40.6) 0.459 NA
 Self-employed 177 (68.7) 77 (30.3)
 Salaried employment 150 (70.1) 64 (29.9)
Class of study
 Junior secondary class 3 123 (69.9) 53 (30.1) 0.806 NA
 Senior secondary class 3 223 (68.8) 101 (31.2)
Socio-economic class
 Upper class 122 (68.7) 53 (30.3) 0.574 NA
 Middle class 140 (71.1) 57 (28.9)
 Lower class 84 (65.6) 44 (34.4)
Knowledge of spread of COVID-19
 Good knowledge 190 (89.6) 22 (10.4) <0.001 7.2 (4.4–11.9)
 Poor knowledge 156 (54.2) 132 (45.8) 1

95% CI: 95% confidence interval; NA, not applicable.

a

Adjusted odds ratio.

DISCUSSION

In the light of WHO declaration of COVID 19 as pandemic, several preventive measures have been put in place; such as suspension of international and local flights, closing of all malls and markets, closure of schools and limiting the number of people in worship centers to 20 people. However, these measures did not curb the rate of infection as the success or failure of these efforts are largely dependent on every one’s knowledge of the preventive practices.

Majority of college adolescents in this study; 98.4% were aware of COVID-19. The finding in this study is higher than previous studies who had prevalence of 69.6%, 73.8% and 88.2% in Ethiopia, 80.8% seen in a study in eight countries of five continents and 78.2% seen in Sudan respectively [12–14]. The variation in prevalence could be due to the sample size used in our study. Secondly it could be due to discrepancy in cut-off values used to categorize the knowledge levels.

Majority of the respondents heard about COVID 19 from the local television channels and foreign television channels, while a few got their information from the internet. This is also similar to a study in an urban slum where majority of adolescents reported that television was a major source of information on COVID-19 [15, 16]. It is important to note that adolescents with internet access could be prone to misinformation on COVID 19 and this could lead to fear and wrong preventive measures towards the infection [16,17].

A higher proportion of respondents, 69.2% practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19. This is, however, lower than reports from studies done in Syria, Pakistan and Sudan where proportions of 73.8% [18] 80.5% [19] and 89.9% [20] were obtained respectively. The discrepancy in prevalence of preventive measures could be due to variation in the cut-off values for the assessment of preventive practices. While this study used a cut-off point of 60%, previous studies used above 80% scores to classify adequate preventive practice. Socio-cultural differences could also account for this.

Majority of the adolescents noted that COVID-19 can be prevented through social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and masking.

A study of mask wearing during influenza pandemic in Japan showed that the use of masks was more effective in adolescents than children [21]. The World Health Organization also stated that the ‘do no harm’ phenomenon on masking in children and adolescents should be observed. The guidelines state that masking in adolescents who are more than 12 years should be same as that of adults [22].

The use of face mask in developing and resource poor countries is very necessary especially when they can make their cloth mask. Cloth mask has been found to be effective with a low cost benefit ratio [23, 24].

Granted that the adolescents, who had good knowledge of spread of COVID-19 were 7.2 times more likely to have good preventive practices of COVID-19 when compared with those who had poor knowledge, there still exists a huge gap between knowledge of preventive methods and actual practice among the college adolescents. For instance, a high knowledge level of 98.4% and a preventive practice of 69.2% was obtained in this study, showing a gap of 29.2%. A study [25] has reported that only 77.3% of their subjects showed good preventive practice against COVID 19, even though the knowledge was as high as 95.5%. Similarly, those who reported that they had not been going to crowded places were 33.2%, but the knowledge that avoidance of crowded places prevents infection by novel-coronavirus was 90.3% [26]. Similarly, Zhong et al. [27] noted that a higher COVID-19 knowledge scores were found to be significantly associated with a lower likelihood of practices toward COVID-19 epidemic. The reason for this gap between knowledge and preventive practice could be that adolescents showed more commitment to adhere to protective measures in the early phase of the pandemic but now that lockdown is easing off and people are resuming their normal lifestyles, they deemed it inexpedient to burden themselves with hand washing, social distancing and masking [17]. These findings clearly underscore the urgent need to improve and sustain adolescents’ COVID-19 knowledge via health education, which may also result in improvement in their practices towards COVID-19 prevention.

Though a minor proportion of adolescents, 42.4% had a good knowledge of the mode of spread of COVID-19, 52.0% were aware COVID-19 could be transmitted through contact with infected persons while a higher proportion, 62.6% believed that COVID-19 is not air borne. In keeping with this study, Mohammed et al. [14] also noted that approximately half of their respondents were unaware that SARS-CoV-2 could spread from person-to-person. This poor knowledge on mode of spread could be due to inaccessibility of information. Furthermore, a good number of college adolescents have good knowledge of symptoms of COVID 19. A study in Saudi Arabia also documented a high proportion of respondents who were aware of the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 [5].

It was observed in this study that male adolescents were 1.4 times less likely to have good knowledge of mode of spread of COVID-19. In the same vein, adolescents whose parents were self-employed were 1.4 times more likely to have good knowledge of mode of spread of COVID-19 when compared with those who were on paid employment. This study also revealed that older adolescents were more knowledgeable regarding COVID 19 compared to younger ones. This finding is in tandem with studies from China [27] and India [28] which showed that female adolescents were very curious and wanted to know every new or trending event, including the new novel virus (COVID-19) [29]. In addition, female adolescents need to know more on COVID 19 because they are more vulnerable and at risk of child labor, sexual abuse and gender based violence.

Adolescents whose parents are self-employed are likely to spend more time with their parents who may have more time of their own and may stay at home to gather information about spread of COVID 19 while those on salary employment are always away from home and very busy in their station. This could offer them little time to listen to any information on COVID 19 [30].

Adolescents whose fathers attained tertiary education were noted to be 1.6 times more likely to have good preventive practices against COVID-19 when compared with those who had secondary school education and below. Zhong et al. [26] also noted in their study that the male gender, lower educational level and unemployment were significantly associated with lower knowledge score. The finding from this study is corroborated by a study from Wuhan, China with high mortality rates following the pandemic. The authors reported that the university graduates seriously sought information from various information channels such as CCTV, the official website of the national Health commission of China and the Wechat official account of the Wuhan Health Commission. The significant positive association between levels of education and COVID-19 knowledge scores supports this speculation [17].

It is noted in this study that older adolescents are more knowledgeable on the perception of COVID 19 and its preventive practices. Older college adolescents were also more active in searching information on this virus from all possible sources, but the younger ones may not be opportuned, but will rather learn about COVID-19 from parents or other family members [17].

This study also showed that adolescents commended government efforts in prevention of COVID 19. This was also similar to the findings in Palestine where adolescents, especially the older ones were noted, to commend the promptness of the government’s response and that of Ministry of Health (MOH). In fact, a 15-year-old, girl with a disability once commented ‘The MOH performs well, as much as it can to face the epidemic’ [17].

CONCLUSION

Though college adolescents were aware of COVID-19, only a small proportion practiced good preventive measures against COVID-19. Knowledge of mode of spread and preventive practices were significantly enhanced by fathers’ educational status and being a female adolescent child.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION AND CONSENT

Ethical clearance was sought and obtained from the ethics committee of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Permission and consent were also obtained from the principals/teachers and adolescents from the schools of study respectively as well as the parents/guardians. The participation in the study was voluntary. Respondents’ anonymity and confidentiality were maintained.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to Miss Carol for helping in entering the raw data.

REFERENCES


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