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

Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu,Piwuna Christopher Goson,Khathutshelo P Mashige,Obinna Nwaeze,Chundung Asabe Miner,Esther Awazzi Envuladu,Kingsley Emwinyore Agho,Chikasirimobi G Timothy,Raymond Langsi,Bernadine Ekpenyong,Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo,Emmanuel K Abu,Richard Oloruntoba,Tanko Ishaya,Deborah Donald Charwe

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111091

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.

Highlights

Since SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus genre more closely linked to the SARS-CoV-1(79% sequence identity) than to the MERS-CoV (52% identity) [1], was declared a pandemic by WHO in 2020 [2], the virus has infected over 237 million people, with the death of not less than 4,839,000 people, with US being the worst-affected country recording727,273 deaths, followed by Brazil—599,414 deaths, India—449,883 deaths, Mexico—279,894 deaths, and Russia—212,625 deaths, as of 7 October 2021
Compared with the lockdown period, the results indicated that perceived risk scores for contracting COVID-19 post-lockdown increased by 0.49 (95%CI 0.36, 0.63, p < 0.0001) and increased with age
We found that older age (≥28 years) was associated with an increased risk of susceptibility to COVID-19; this was consistent with past studies [29,31,32,33] which showed that older individuals had a higher risk perception of contracting the infection and were more likely to develop more severe complications of COVID-19 or die compared with the younger individuals [32]

Summary

Introduction

Since SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus genre more closely linked to the SARS-CoV-1(79% sequence identity) than to the MERS-CoV (52% identity) [1], was declared a pandemic by WHO in 2020 [2], the virus has infected over 237 million people, with the death of not less than 4,839,000 people, with US being the worst-affected country recording727,273 deaths, followed by Brazil—599,414 deaths, India—449,883 deaths, Mexico—279,894 deaths, and Russia—212,625 deaths, as of 7 October 2021. With no effective cure or current drug for the treatment of the infection in sight, SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a source of concern across the globe and more so in sub-Saharan Africa considering the poor health care system [5]. The rollout of the vaccines has been anything but smooth due to the mixed messages from the various governments and the difficulty in accessibility for developing countries [6,7]. This increases the mistrust displayed by citizens across the globe and increases the perception of risk in the community [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion