IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i21p11091-d661880.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Differences in Perceived Risk of Contracting SARS-CoV-2 during and after the Lockdown in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

    (Translational Health Research Unit (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Westville Campus, African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa)

  • Chikasirimobi G Timothy

    (Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega 190-50100, Kenya)

  • Raymond Langsi

    (Health Division, University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39, Bamenda 00237, Cameroon)

  • Emmanuel K Abu

    (Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast 00233, Ghana)

  • Piwuna Christopher Goson

    (Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria)

  • Khathutshelo P Mashige

    (Westville Campus, African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa)

  • Bernadine Ekpenyong

    (Westville Campus, African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa
    Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar 540271, Cross River State, Nigeria)

  • Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo

    (Department of Optometry, Centre for Health Sciences, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK)

  • Chundung Asabe Miner

    (Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria)

  • Richard Oloruntoba

    (School of Management and Marketing, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6151, Australia)

  • Tanko Ishaya

    (Department of Computer Science, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria)

  • Deborah Donald Charwe

    (Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center, P.O. Box 977, Dar es Salaam 11101, Tanzania)

  • Esther Awazzi Envuladu

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos 930003, Nigeria)

  • Obinna Nwaeze

    (County Durham and Darlington, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation, Darlington DL3 0PD, UK)

  • Kingsley Emwinyore Agho

    (Translational Health Research Unit (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Westville Campus, African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa
    School of Health Science, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia)

Abstract

This study investigated risk perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Sahara Africa during and after the lockdown periods. Two online surveys were conducted one year apart, with participants 18 years and above living in sub-Sahara Africa or the diaspora. Each survey took four weeks. The first survey was taken from 18 April to 16 May 2020, i.e., during the lockdown. The second survey was taken from 14 April to 14 May 2021, i.e., after the lockdown. A cross-sectional study using adopted and modified questionnaires for both surveys were distributed through online platforms. Question about risks perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 were asked. The Helsinki declaration was applied, and ethical approvals were obtained. Total responses for both surveys, i.e., both during and after the lockdown, was 4605. The mean age was similar in both surveys (18–28 years). The mean risk perception scores were higher after lockdown by 3.59%. Factors associated with risk perception of COVID-19 were survey period, age group, region of residence, and occupation. Non-health care workers had a lower risk perception of COVID-19. This first comparative study on the level of risk perception of Africans during and after the lockdown shows that one in every three and every four persons in sub-Sahara Africa felt at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and thought they could die from contracting the same, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu & Chikasirimobi G Timothy & Raymond Langsi & Emmanuel K Abu & Piwuna Christopher Goson & Khathutshelo P Mashige & Bernadine Ekpenyong & Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo & Chundung Asab, 2021. "Differences in Perceived Risk of Contracting SARS-CoV-2 during and after the Lockdown in Sub-Saharan African Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11091-:d:661880
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11091/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11091/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sven Drefahl & Matthew Wallace & Eleonora Mussino & Siddartha Aradhya & Martin Kolk & Maria Brandén & Bo Malmberg & Gunnar Andersson, 2020. "A population-based cohort study of socio-demographic risk factors for COVID-19 deaths in Sweden," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Bernadine Ekpenyong & Chukwuemeka J. Obinwanne & Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo & Kelechukwu Ahaiwe & Okonokhua O. Lewis & Damian C. Echendu & Uchechukwu L. Osuagwu, 2020. "Assessment of Knowledge, Practice and Guidelines towards the Novel COVID-19 among Eye Care Practitioners in Nigeria–A Survey-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Elizabeth J. Williamson & Alex J. Walker & Krishnan Bhaskaran & Seb Bacon & Chris Bates & Caroline E. Morton & Helen J. Curtis & Amir Mehrkar & David Evans & Peter Inglesby & Jonathan Cockburn & Helen, 2020. "Factors associated with COVID-19-related death using OpenSAFELY," Nature, Nature, vol. 584(7821), pages 430-436, August.
    4. Tanvir Abir & Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah & Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu & Dewan Muhammad Nur -A. Yazdani & Abdullah Al Mamun & Taha Husain & Palash Basak & P. Yukthamarani Permarupan & Kingsley E. Agho, 2020. "Factors Associated with the Perception of Risk and Knowledge of Contracting the SARS-Cov-2 among Adults in Bangladesh: Analysis of Online Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Viscusi, W Kip, 1985. "Are Individuals Bayesian Decision Makers?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 75(2), pages 381-385, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Brandily, Paul & Brébion, Clément & Briole, Simon & Khoury, Laura, 2021. "A poorly understood disease? The impact of COVID-19 on the income gradient in mortality over the course of the pandemic," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Borau, Sylvie & Couprie, Hélène & Hopfensitz, Astrid, 2022. "The prosociality of married people: Evidence from a large multinational sample," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Martin S. Eichenbaum & Sergio Rebelo & Mathias Trabandt, 2022. "Inequality in Life and Death," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 70(1), pages 68-104, March.
    4. Svenn-Erik Mamelund & Jessica Dimka & Nan Zou Bakkeli, 2021. "Social Disparities in Adopting Non-pharmaceutical Interventions During COVID-19 in Norway," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 37(3), pages 302-328, September.
    5. Herrmann, Tabea & Hübler, Olaf & Menkhoff, Lukas & Schmidt, Ulrich, 2016. "Allais for the poor," Kiel Working Papers 2036, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    6. Jos'e Raimundo Carvalho & Diego de Maria Andr'e & Yuri Costa, 2023. "Individual Updating of Subjective Probability of Homicide Victimization: a "Natural Experiment'' on Risk Communication," Papers 2312.08171, arXiv.org.
    7. Sabrina Cipolletta & Gabriela Rios Andreghetti & Giovanna Mioni, 2022. "Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-25, April.
    8. Antonio Diez de los Rios, 2022. "A macroeconomic model of an epidemic with silent transmission and endogenous self‐isolation," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(S1), pages 581-625, February.
    9. Adeline Delavande, 2008. "Measuring revisions to subjective expectations," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 43-82, February.
    10. Lin, Wanchuan & Sloan, Frank, 2015. "Risk perceptions and smoking decisions of adult Chinese men," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 60-73.
    11. Steven M. Shugan, 2005. "Comments on Competitive Responsiveness," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(1), pages 3-7.
    12. Tara L Upshaw & Chloe Brown & Robert Smith & Melissa Perri & Carolyn Ziegler & Andrew D Pinto, 2021. "Social determinants of COVID-19 incidence and outcomes: A rapid review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, March.
    13. Anna Adamecz-Völgyi & Ágnes Szabó-Morvai, 2021. "Confidence in public institutions is critical in containing the COVID-19 pandemic," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2126, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    14. Shelly J. Robertson & Olivia Bedard & Kristin L. McNally & Carl Shaia & Chad S. Clancy & Matthew Lewis & Rebecca M. Broeckel & Abhilash I. Chiramel & Jeffrey G. Shannon & Gail L. Sturdevant & Rebecca , 2023. "Genetically diverse mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection reproduce clinical variation in type I interferon and cytokine responses in COVID-19," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    15. Yu-Wei Luo & Jiang-Peng Zhou & Hongyu Ji & Doudou Xu & Anqi Zheng & Xin Wang & Zhizheng Dai & Zhicheng Luo & Fang Cao & Xing-Yue Wang & Yunfang Bai & Di Chen & Yueming Chen & Qi Wang & Yaying Yang & X, 2024. "SARS-CoV-2 N protein-induced Dicer, XPO5, SRSF3, and hnRNPA3 downregulation causes pneumonia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-23, December.
    16. Dorn, Florian & Lange, Berit & Braml, Martin & Gstrein, David & Nyirenda, John L.Z. & Vanella, Patrizio & Winter, Joachim & Fuest, Clemens & Krause, Gérard, 2023. "The challenge of estimating the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 interventions – Toward an integrated economic and epidemiological approach," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    17. Egor Malkov, 2021. "Spousal Occupational Sorting and COVID-19 Incidence: Evidence from the United States," Papers 2107.14350, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2021.
    18. Henrik Andersson & Petter Lundborg, 2007. "Perception of own death risk," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 67-84, February.
    19. McKee, Martin & Altmann, Danny & Costello, Anthony & Friston, Karl & Haque, Zubaida & Khunti, Kamlesh & Michie, Susan & Oni, Tolullah & Pagel, Christina & Pillay, Deenan & Reicher, Steve & Salisbury, , 2022. "Open science communication: The first year of the UK's Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(3), pages 234-244.
    20. Kayode Ajewole & Elliott Dennis & Ted C. Schroeder & Jason Bergtold, 2021. "Relative valuation of food and non‐food risks with a comparison to actuarial values: A best–worst approach," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(6), pages 927-943, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11091-:d:661880. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.