Differences in Perceived Risk of Contracting SARS-CoV-2 during and after the Lockdown in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, Chikasirimobi G Timothy, Raymond Langsi, Emmanuel K Abu, Piwuna Christopher Goson, Khathutshelo P Mashige, Bernadine Ekpenyong, Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo, Chundung Asabe Miner, Richard Oloruntoba, Tanko Ishaya, Deborah Donald Charwe, Esther Awazzi Envuladu, Obinna Nwaeze and Kingsley Emwinyore Agho
Additional contact information
Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu: Translational Health Research Unit (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
Chikasirimobi G Timothy: Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega 190-50100, Kenya
Raymond Langsi: Health Division, University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39, Bamenda 00237, Cameroon
Emmanuel K Abu: Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast 00233, Ghana
Piwuna Christopher Goson: Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria
Khathutshelo P Mashige: Westville Campus, African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa
Bernadine Ekpenyong: Westville Campus, African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa
Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo: Department of Optometry, Centre for Health Sciences, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK
Chundung Asabe Miner: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria
Richard Oloruntoba: School of Management and Marketing, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6151, Australia
Tanko Ishaya: Department of Computer Science, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria
Deborah Donald Charwe: Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center, P.O. Box 977, Dar es Salaam 11101, Tanzania
Esther Awazzi Envuladu: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria
Obinna Nwaeze: County Durham and Darlington, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation, Darlington DL3 0PD, UK
Kingsley Emwinyore Agho: Translational Health Research Unit (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: This study investigated risk perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Sahara Africa during and after the lockdown periods. Two online surveys were conducted one year apart, with participants 18 years and above living in sub-Sahara Africa or the diaspora. Each survey took four weeks. The first survey was taken from 18 April to 16 May 2020, i.e., during the lockdown. The second survey was taken from 14 April to 14 May 2021, i.e., after the lockdown. A cross-sectional study using adopted and modified questionnaires for both surveys were distributed through online platforms. Question about risks perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 were asked. The Helsinki declaration was applied, and ethical approvals were obtained. Total responses for both surveys, i.e., both during and after the lockdown, was 4605. The mean age was similar in both surveys (18–28 years). The mean risk perception scores were higher after lockdown by 3.59%. Factors associated with risk perception of COVID-19 were survey period, age group, region of residence, and occupation. Non-health care workers had a lower risk perception of COVID-19. This first comparative study on the level of risk perception of Africans during and after the lockdown shows that one in every three and every four persons in sub-Sahara Africa felt at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and thought they could die from contracting the same, respectively.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; sub-Sahara Africa; risks perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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