COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception, Practices and Preparedness in Nigeria

Abstract

Since Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 30th of January, 2020. Nigeria, with 343 cases and 10 deaths as at April 14, 2020 is classified as one of the countries at high risk of importation of the disease from China. The ability to limit and control local transmission after importation depends on the application and execution of strict measures of detection, prevention and control. The initial response of some percentage of the population was of doubt due to the ignorance of the far-reaching effect of the virus. More than 1,700 leaders of religious groups and communities in all 36 States and FCT were therefore sensitized to increase awareness level and consequences of COVID-19 among the populace. Major response activities were initiated before the first case was reported and were upgraded within weeks after the number of cases began to rise. Based on previous experience of perception, and awareness of other viral disease outbreaks, COVID-19 infection prevention and control interventions recommended by WHO are yet to be fully entrenched in the Nigerian public health system in order to reduce the general risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 from infected individuals. There is therefore the need to execute strict measures of detection, prevention and control and drive compliance with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and WHO guidelines in Nigeria.