Assessment of Corona Virus Prevention Strategies Utilized by Rural Dwellers

Abstract

This study is aimed at assessing corona virus prevention strategies utilized by rural dwellers. Purposive and convenient sampling technique was used for this study where the researcher relied on his own judgment when choosing members of the population to participate in the study. Thus, a total of 130 adults were interviewed for this study. An individual interview was conducted with the aid of interview guide. The interview was made up of 2 sections. The first section is for demographic characteristics and then questions to guide the interview. Data collection from this study was analyzed using thematic method of analysis. Demographic characteristics of respondents and it indicates that; the age group 30-39, 52(40%) had the highest respondents. For the Gender; 56(43%) of the total respondents were male, while 74(57%) of the total respondents were female. For the marital status; A vast majority of the respondents, 59(45%) were single and the most common religion practiced is the Christian religion, 78(60%). The level of education showed that; 22(17%) of the total respondents were illiterates, 43(33%) of the total respondents stopped at primary level of education, 35(27%) of the total respondents stopped at secondary level of education, while 30(23%) of the total respondents had both secondary degrees. For Occupation; 22(17%) of the total respondents were civil servants, 39(30%) of the total respondents were traders, 39(30%) of the total respondents were farmers, 30(23%) of the total respondents were students. The strategies for the prevention of COVID-19 among the respondents included; social distancing, wearing of face mask when going out, sniffing of tobacco and steaming of self, drinking of hot drink (dry gin) and hot water every morning and the reasons for utilizing these strategies by the respondents where because the Nigerian government made it mandatory, fear of exposure to the virus and cultural reasons/believes. This study identified that some rural dwellers in Amassoma lack adequate knowledge on corona virus prevention. However the preventive strategies include practiced include; social distancing, hand washing, avoid touching of face, restriction of movement and so more; this study has made clear the information needs, preferred prevention strategies, and the challenges that militate against the access and use of COVID information by the rural dwellers in Amassoma. Hence attention should be paid to rural dwellers to ensure strict obedience to COVID-19 prevention protocols.