KNOWLEDGE OF, AND BEHAVIOR IN RESPONSE TO, COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY PREGNANT
NIGERIAN IGBO WOMEN
Abstract
Background: The Covid-19 pandemic currently represents a foremost global
contemporary public health challenge, with alarming death rate. Pregnant
women by virtue of reduced immunity may be at increased risk of
contracting the disease. Objective: To elicit the knowledge of, and
behavior, in response to the covid-19 pandemic among pregnant Nigerian
Igbo women. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based
study of 370 pregnant women from health facilities in Anambra state
Nigeria, to elicit information on their knowledge of causes, mode of
transmission, availability of vaccines, treatment modalities, and
behavioural changes consequent on covid-19. Data obtained was analyzed
using SPSS IBM windows version 26. Result: The modal age, parity and
gestational age of the respondents were 25-29 years (49.2%); Para
1-4(89.5%) and <28 weeks (44.1%) respectively. Majority of
the participants had tertiary education (54.1%) and of modal social
class 5. All (100%) of the participants knew about covid-19; 91.4%
recognized it was of viral aetiology; and 75.1% agreed it is an
infectious disease. Indicated modes of transmission include air,
droplets, faeces, urine, dust, ingested foods, and drinks. Most of the
participants recognized the unavailability of drugs (88.6%) and vaccine
(80%) for covid-19 management. Stated treatment modalities include
symptomatic therapy; inhalation of steam from hot water, herbs, and
roots; consumption of spices; antimalarial, Antibiotics, Multivitamins
therapy; physical exercises; rest; and prayer. Majority of the
respondents (67%) believed that covid-19 had affected their general
behavior and most adhered to covid-19 safety measures - wearing of face
mask; hand washing; use of hand-sanitizers and social distancing. The
most common source of information to participants on covid-19 was
electronic media. Conclusion: The knowledge of covid-19 among the
respondents was high and their behavior, satisfactory. There is need to
maintain the public enlightenment tempo to sustain the good behavior in
response to covid-19 amongst pregnant women.