Knowledge, Perception and Practices of Coronavirus amongst Female Farmers in Nigeria

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 [1] is an emerging public health problem threatening the life of millions of people. Farmers and cultivators in countries like Nigeria are rapidly starting to bear the impact of the pandemic. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge, perception and practices to COVID-19 among female farmers. A descriptive cross sectional design was used for this study, employing multistage sampling technique to recruit respondents. About (39%) of the respondents fell between 30-39 years with the median age of 35 years; majorities (56.9%) had attended secondary education and (49.2%) were married. More than half (56.4%) were into subsistence farming and they planted mostly tubers and vegetables. About (32.3%) of them did not believe in the existence of COVID-19. To (43.6%) of the farmersCOVID-19 was perceived as a virus, (32.3%) as a deadly disease, (12.8%) as political means of making money and (4.6%) as a high fever just like malaria and typhoid. Around (34.4%) reported the symptoms of COVID 19 as dry cough, (23.6%) as fever, (9%) as sneezing and (7.3%) as difficulty in breathing. Also, about (17.9%) reported that COVID 19 spreads through handshaking, (16.9%) through droplets (sneezing and coughing), (3.1%) through airborne and (20%) don’t know how COVID 19 spreads. With regards to practice, (25.6%) wash their hands 4 to 6 times per day and 5(2.6%) rarely washed their hands, about (28.2%) always wore their facemask and (36.4%) always used alcohol based sanitizer. There was a statistical association between age, level of education and the perception of female farmers to COVID-19 (P < 0.005).Also, an association was found between perception of COVID-19 and practices (P < 0.005). The study revealed poor perception and knowledge to COVID-19, which affects their adherence to public health hygiene. Since majority (73.3%) of the female farmers sourced information from radios/televisions, more awareness should be made in these platforms especially using their local dialect.