Caregivers’ Perception and Practice of Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19 at a Tertiary Centre, Southern Nigeria

Introduction: The World Health Organization had recommended a multi-prong approach for the prevention and control of COVID-19, which has risen into a major global public health challenge. Government of nations are to disseminate information on these protective measures to the general public to mitigate the spread of the disease. However, people’s adherence to these preventive strategies is essential to guarantee success.

Objective: To appraise the perception and practice of recommended measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19 by caregivers of children attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done among parents/caregivers of children attending the Children’s Out Patient clinics, wards and emergency room of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, between August and September 2020. Information obtained using a structured investigator-administered questionnaire included bio data and perception about COVID-19 while practice of its preventive measures was observed. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.

Results: All participants (161) have heard about COVID-19, mainly through the television and radio. The majority of them (n=141, 87.6%) knew that a combination of measures is needed for its prevention. More than half of participants (59%) washed their hands with water and soap provided, 89% of them had a facemask, a lesser proportion (58%) wore the mask and an even lesser proportion (28.6%) of them wore it properly. There was no significant difference between level of education or occupation of caregivers and proper wearing of the facemask.

Conclusion: Though the awareness of COVID-19 was high, there was a gap between perception and practice of its preventive measures. Health education and innovative local strategies are recommended, to help improve the people’s acceptance of, and compliance to the stipulated multi-prong preventive measures.