Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Prevention Strategies among Different Christian Denominations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated various control measures to limit the spread of the virus. These measures have had a significant impact on society and have resulted in widespread disruptions. This comparative study focused on members of Christian denominations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria, and examines their adherence to COVID-19 control measures. The study aimed to compare the adherence to COVID-19 control measures among members of different Christian denominations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria. The study adopted a comparative cross-sectional study and employed quantitative methods. The population of this study is estimated at one hundred thousand and nine hundred (100,900) members of Christian denominations. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique which was determined based on Godden (2004), which recommended a formula where the study population is greater than fifty thousand respondents. While the sample size comprised 382 respondents. A pretested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The study used descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation to answer research questions while analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 significant level using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Findings of the study revealed that there was a substantial difference in the mean rating among Catholics, Mainline Protestants, Evangelical and Pentecostal and Indigenous churches on the attitudes towards COVID-19 and its control measures among members of different Christian denominations in Port Harcourt, and the mean rating among Catholics, Mainline Protestants, Evangelical and Pentecostal and Indigenous churches on the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination uptake among members of different Christian denominations in Port Harcourt.  In conclusion, there is a need for more education and awareness among Christian communities regarding the importance of adhering to COVID-19 control measures. This could include providing information on the risks of COVID-19, how the virus spreads, and the importance of measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene. The study recommended amongst others that religious leaders from different Christian denominations in Port Harcourt should collaborate to ensure consistent and accurate dissemination of information on COVID-19 and its control measures to their members.