Assessment of the perception of the public on the impact of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 started in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was declared pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Globally, majority of nations worldwide with Nigeria inclusive were on lockdown. Variations exist in the way the public responded to the lockdown.Objective: The study is to determine the public perception on the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19Methods: Pretested survey form prepared using the Google form app and distributed via social media - WhatsApp, Facebook, email and Instagram. Sample size was determined as 510. The data collected was exported to Microsoft Excel. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Inferential analysis was done using chi square, and fisher exact test at 95% confidence interval. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Health Research and Ethics Committee, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.Results: A total of 510 respondents participated in the study. The results revealed 52.2% female respondents. The data revealed 60% were employed with majority residing in the South Western part of Nigeria and are in a relationship. While self-employed participants comprised 25.9%. Respondents aged between 40-49 years were 28.6%, while 61.57% were postgraduate degree holders. The current data showed that 59.6% of the respondents think that the lockdown, irrespective of the dimension taken prevented the spread of the diseaseConclusion: A significant percentage of the public are of the opinion that the lockdown was effective.