Risk Perception and Precautionary Behaviour Against Covid-19 Pandemic among Health Workers in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing risk perception and precautionary behaviour against COVID-19 pandemicamong health workers. Through descriptive cross-sectional survey, 400 respondents were convenientlysampled to elicit data using respondent’s self-administered questionnaire designed by the researchers. Datacollection which spanned through two months were collected, cleaned, sorted, coded, inputted and analyzedusing SPSS version 20 software. Association between risk perception and precautionary behaviour wastested using Chi-square statistics significant at 95% confidence level. Results were presented in descriptiveand inferential statistics. Risk perception and the feeling of being very susceptible to contracting COVID-19was high 382 (95.5%). This created a spike in improved and positive precautionary behaviour 398 (99.5%)by strict adherence to consistent use of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) amidst the COVID-19pandemic. To majority 339 (84.8%), the frequently use of PPEs was to prevent COVID-19 and other hospitalrelated diseases while for some 312 (78.0%), the consistent use of PPEs has been habitual. The study founda significant association between risk perception and precautionary behaviour of healthcare workers againstCOVID-19 pandemic (P < 0.001; df = 1; Chi-square = 11.280). There is need for healthcare workers tocontinue in the habit of always being conscious in the use of their PPEs even after the COVID-19 pandemic.This is because, there are still and may still be re-emerging diseases that needs to be prevented. Therefore,there is need for healthcare workers to always be proactive and be at alert at all times because the healthcaresetting is like a war front for all manner of diseases where the first attack or target is the healthcare worker.