A CROSS- SECTIONAL SURVEY OF PERCEPTION, MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT COVID- 19 AMONG INTERNET USERS IN LAGOS DURING THE 2020 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

M. R. Akinyinka; O. Q. Bakare; B. A. Odugbemi; B. I. Adebayo; A. Adeniran; O. Goodman; B. F. Popoola; K. O. Wright; Y. Kuyinu; O. O. Odusanya

Authors

M. R. Akinyinka Lagos State University Teaching Hospital /Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja.
O. Q. Bakare Lagos State University Teaching Hospital /Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja.
B. A. Odugbemi Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos
B. I. Adebayo Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos
A. Adeniran Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos
O. Goodman Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos
B. F. Popoola Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja Lagos State.
K. O. Wright Lagos State University Teaching Hospital /Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja.
Y. Kuyinu Lagos State University Teaching Hospital /Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja.
O. O. Odusanya Lagos State University Teaching Hospital /Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease, otherwise known as COVID 2019, is a novel disease first discovered in China in December 2019. There has been an unprecedented rise in the number of cases of this disease since its discovery, and millions have been infected worldwide. Nigeria has also been hard hit by COVID-19, and a lot of rumours and conspiracy theories have been circulated about the disease, which has served to produce myths and misconceptions that are counterproductive towards public health prevention and control methods for the prevention of the disease. This study aimed to assess the perception of COVID-19 and determine the prevalence of COVID-19 myths and misconceptions among the residents of Lagos State.

Methodology: This study was descriptive, cross sectional in design, and made use of a quick online quantitative data collection method. The study population was drawn from adult residents of Lagos State. Respondents were selected via an online convenience sampling method using various social media portals. The questionnaire was self-administered, and data was collected between November 2020 and January 2021. Ethical approval was obtained.

Results: There was a 98.2% response rate as 1,038 respondents accessed the questionnaire but 1,019 completed it, 57.5% of them being females, (51.9%) of the respondents were married and skilled professionals (48.6%). Almost all respondents (95.2%) had heard of COVID-19, with the most commonly known symptom being cough (93.6%). Two-thirds of respondents (66.6%) dispelled the 5G myth; about half (51.9%) knew that staying in high temperatures could not prevent infection, while over a quarter (28%) knew that chloroquine, antibiotics (40.8%), garlic, and ginger (45.5%) were not effective in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

Conclusion: Myths about COVID-19 are prevalent among internet users in Lagos. Community education and engagement via online media are recommended to dispel myths and encourage active prevention of the disease.