COVID-19 In Nigeria Research Articles

Interrogating Christian and Muslim responses to COVID-19 in Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the far-reaching significance of religion in shaping human interaction within social crises. Efforts to slow down the spread of coronavirus prompted different national governments, including the Federal Government of Nigeria to restrict large density gatherings, enforce lockdowns and promote social distancing, which were largely resisted initially. Organised religion may have influenced citizens’ compliance with government directives for curbing the pandemic. Focussing largely on providing economic assistance to people in need, it may have missed out on the reason for recourse to faith. One outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic was the need to understand the application of religious faith in explaining epidemics and health crises. This work predominantly relies on data from secondary sources (library research and internet materials). Just as it critically investigates Christian-Muslim responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, it seeks also to justify reliance on religion during a health emergency. By the evaluative method of philosophy, we show that although the pandemic triggered dread of annihilation, it brought in its wake a search for ontological meaningfulness. This study therefore argues that Nigerians turned to religion to meet the deep-seated, individual need for meaningfulness (‘survivability’) that is primary to the need of soul and body, which includes material donations by organised religious entities. The primacy of fulfilling this need precedes sociality both ontologically and epistemologically because meaningfulness is an inalienable property of individuality.Contribution: This work presents religion as a rationally defensible need that is fundamentally rooted in individual human nature, even in a pandemic; religion pertains to meaningfulness, which counters human fear of annihilation and meaninglessness.

Navigating Chronic Illness Care Amidst a Global Pandemic: Insights from Missed Clinic Visits Before, During and After COVID-19 in Nigeria

Navigating Chronic Illness Care Amidst a Global Pandemic: Insights from Missed Clinic Visits Before, During and After COVID-19 in Nigeria

Predicting the Demographic, Attitudinal and Environmental Factors in the Swift Spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria and Suggestions for its Containment

Predicting the Demographic, Attitudinal and Environmental Factors in the Swift Spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria and Suggestions for its Containment

Performance evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic tests in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged health systems globally. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for COVID-19 have been widely used in Nigeria. This has greatly improved test turnover rates and significantly decreased the high technical demands of RT-PCR. However, there is currently no nationally representative evaluation of the performance characteristics and reliability of these kits. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of ten RDT kits used for COVID-19 testing in Nigeria. This large multi-centred cross-sectional study was conducted across the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria over four months. Ten antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) RDT kits were evaluated, and the results were compared with RT-PCR. One thousand, three hundred and ten (1,310) consenting adults comprising 767 (58.5%) males and 543 (41.5%) females participated in the study. The highest proportion, 757 (57.7%), were in the 20-39 years' age group. In terms of diagnostic performance, Lumira Dx (61.4, 95% CI: 52.4-69.9) had the highest sensitivity while MP SARS and Panbio (98.5, 95% CI: 96.6-99.5) had the highest specificity. For predictive values, Panbio (90.7, 95% CI: 79.7-96.9) and Lumira Dx (81.2, 95% CI: 75.9-85.7) recorded the highest PPV and NPV respectively. Ag-RDTs had better performance characteristics compared with Ab-RDTs; however, the sensitivities of all RDTs in this study were generally low. The relatively high specificity of Ag-RDTs makes them useful for the diagnosis of infection in COVID-19 suspected cases where positive RDT may not require confirmation by molecular testing. There is therefore the need to develop RDTs in-country that will take into consideration the unique environmental factors, interactions with other infectious agents, and strains of the virus circulating locally. This may enhance the precision of rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Estimation of the Basic Reproduction Number of COVID-19 in Nigeria

Estimation of the Basic Reproduction Number of COVID-19 in Nigeria

Isaiah’s Apocalyptic Myth and the Spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria

ABSTRACT We argue that “Isaiah's apocalyptic myth,” (Isaiah 26:20) was a cushioning effort amidst the corona-virus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria between March and May 2020. Informed conversations frame myths with unhealthy actions leading to the spread of COVID-19. Despite this, Isaiah's apocalyptic myth led to improved behaviours against COVID-19 in Nigeria within the period under study. We relied on a mixed-method approach of data collection and analysis to draw a relation between the “Isaiah” apocalyptic oracle' and the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria between March and May 2020. This discourse presents ways in which superstitions mitigate the spread of pandemic disease.

Modified deterministic modeling of Covid-19 in Nigeria: a case of a closed system

Summary In this research a closed system of testing and vaccination is considered using modified deterministic modeling of Covid-19 cases in Nigeria. A disease infection flow transmission diagram was constructed for a model with nine population compartments, represented as SNSVETeQIAISILR, and the assumptions governing the model were presented for the study. A set of nonlinear deterministic differential equations was obtained and tested for positive invariance, positivity of the system solution, boundedness of solution of the equation system, equilibrium point of system stability, endemic equilibrium point, and existence of endemic global stability. The simulated results showed that the equilibrium stability point of the system exists at a basic reproduction number Ro of 0.0000295, and the model estimates show a positive contribution of population recruitment rate (Λ), transmission rate from infected (asymptomatic – β1, symptomatic – β2, undetected but exposed - ф) population, testing rate (βV), (σ), population exposure, exposed tested becoming infected (ρ), quarantine, and isolation to promoting the Covid-19 epidemic infection in Nigeria. Following the findings, the following are recommended: early closure of the country’s borders to check increasing recruitment rate, introduction of social distancing, wearing of nose & mouth masks, early commencement of free testing for the disease (Covid-19), introduction of movement restrictions (close-down/lock-down), compulsory Covid-19 vaccination for every vulnerable person in the population, effective government quarantine and isolation (treatment) centers, and immediate engagement of both medical and non-medical researchers to find lasting solutions.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Urban Planning of Port Harcourt City, Nigeria

Background: Coronavirus disease is a communicable and contagious respiratory disease that has not only affected human social lives, interactions and relationships but equally changed other significant patterns of people’s normal lives, and there is need for a robust urban planning to meet the emerging changes. This study sought to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the inhabitants of Port Harcourt City and its implications on urban planning in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria. This study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected human interactions and business activities, and its implication on urban planning in Port Harcourt city. Methods: The study adopted descriptive survey design with questionnaire used for data collection. Port Harcourt inhabitants aged 18 years and above were studied using four major clusters in Port Harcourt city. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants from five most affected COVID-19 business areas in each cluster in the year 2020. A total of 400 participants assessed on people’s economic activities and welfare attributes using Likert-scale. Data were analysed using simple percentages, mean and standard deviation. Results: Major findings revealed that COVID-19 negatively affected the lives of people, closure of markets and other economic centres, lack of face-to-face communication and interaction, change in people’s social welfare and lifestyle, to halt in education and academic activities, restriction in movement and transportation, and household welfare challenges. It is suggested that policymakers should intensify efforts to ensure coronavirus is eradicated by providing COVID-19 drugs to all Nigerians. Conclusion: The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to mitigate the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 in Nigeria, emphasizing equitable access to essential medications as a crucial strategy for combating the pandemic's adverse effects on society. Novelty: This research offers novel insights into the broad-ranging impacts of COVID-19 on various aspects of life in Nigeria, highlighting the imperative of equitable access to medications as a pivotal solution.

Legal Issues Concerning Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination: Nigeria as a Case Study

It is no news that COVID-19 has rendered severe havoc in the global environment. Although, various medical scientists and scholars were able to find a possible curtailment (Through vaccination) of the deadly COVID-19, however, there seems to be fear of the negative medical outcome of being vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, given several claims of the potential danger. Furthermore, it suffices to state that Nigeria has also had its fair share of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Nigerian government sorts to make vaccination compulsory, despite the legal and medical rights of its citizens as enshrined in the constitution and judicial precedent. It is in this regard, that this study sort to adopt a hybrid method of study concerning the legal issues of compulsory vaccination in Nigeria. Concerning this, 310 questionnaires were sent to respondents residing in Nigeria. The study therefore found that there were incidences of COVID-19 in Nigeria and there are laws concerning the control of infectious disease in Nigeria. However, the study further found that it is a legal misnomer to compel an individual forcefully against his/her wishes to be vaccinated. Therefore, the study concludes and recommends that for effective vaccination against COVID-19, the Nigerian government needs to avoid forceful vaccination, but rather a wide sensitization concerning the vaccine's potency as against the negative claim concerning the COVID-19 vaccine.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Antigen-Based Rapid Test during the Fourth Wave of COVID-19 in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Since the use of rapid test kits for diagnosis of COVID-19, diagnostic accuracy has been of concern, particularly in resource- limited settings. This study assessed diagnostic accuracy of Abbot Panbio antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for COVID-19 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the gold standard in Edo State, Nigeria.
 Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study during the 4th wave of the pandemic in Edo State from January 5 – February 4th, 2022. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 240 consenting participants at 10 sample collection sites. The index test (RDT) and gold standard test (real-time reverse transcription PCR) were performed simultaneously. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and ROC analysis were conducted on the RDT compared to RT-PCR using SPSS version 26.0 software. 
 Results: Thirty-six (15.0%) participants tested positive on RDT and 34 (14.2%) tested positive on PCR. RDT had a sensitivity of 73.5% (95% CI: 66.0–81.0) and specificity of 94.7% (95% CI: 91.6-97.8) with a positive predictive value of 69.4% (95% CI: 55.8-80.7), and negative predictive value of 95.6% (95% CI: 91.8-98.0). The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC for the RDT against PCR was 84.1% (75.1% - 93.1%).
 Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of the Panbio rapid antigen test for SARSCoV-2 was below WHO standards. However, they remain useful tools for continued surveillance of the disease. Rigorous evaluations combining the results of rapid antigen tests with other clinical information would prove useful for prompt diagnosis and surveillance of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Mathematical Model and Optimal Control of Covid-19 in Nigeria

The global pandemic, Covid-19, caused by corona virus disease is responsible for a significant number of deaths and huge economic losses in almost all the countries of the world, including Nigeria. In order to manage the spread of this disease in Nigeria, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control(NCDC) has proposed and implemented various control and preventive measures such as vaccination, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, social distancing, and others. The aim of this paper is to model the transmission dynamics of Covid-19 in Nigeria, and obtain, by using Pontryagin Maximum Principle, the combination of these control strategies for effective control of the disease in Nigeria. Numerical experiments with Nigeria Covid-19 data show the effectiveness optimal use of these preventive and control measures for Covid-19.

A Review on the Effect of Pandemic on Aquaculture Production: A Case Study of Covid-19 in Nigeria

A Review on the Effect of Pandemic on Aquaculture Production: A Case Study of Covid-19 in Nigeria

Investigating the Claims and Spread of Misinformation on Covid-19 across different Media Platforms in Nigeria

The misinformation spread about Covid-19 in Nigerian media is the main topic of the paper. All Nigerian nationals made up the study’s population, which was conducted using an ethnography observation and interview. In Lagos State, Nigeria, 50 respondents made up the study’s sample. It was decided to use a multistage sampling process that combines a simple random sampling technique with a purposive sampling strategy. To gather data, it uses in-depth interviews, observations, documents, and field notes to collect data. For the sake of answering the study questions, the gathered data were examined using narrative analysis. The research findings identified a variety of false information and unreliable information sources in Nigerian media. It was recommended that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for preventive measures should be followed and also advised. This endeavor can assist combat false information on Covid-19 in Nigeria. The initial beneficiaries of this information are typically relatives and friends; people who propagate these misconceptions and false information must stop doing so to prevent placing the lives of those they love in grave danger, before accepting or spreading any information on COVID-19, people should verify the source.

Integer-Valued First Order Autoregressive (INAR(1)) Model With Negative Binomial (NB) Innovation For The Forecasting Of Time Series Count Data

This paper is about the theoretical investigation of integer-valued first order autoregressive (INAR(1)) model with negative binomial (NB) innovation for the forecasting of time series count data. The study makes use of the Conditional Least squares (CLS) estimator to estimate the parameter of INAR(1) model, and Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) to estimate the mean (μ ) and the dispersion parameter (K) of the NB distribution. A simulation experiment based on theoretical generated data were addressed under different parameter values α =0.2, 0.6, 0.8, different sample sizes n=30, 90, 120, 600 for the class of INAR(1) model, and μ  =0.85, 1.5, 2,  K=1,2, 4 for the NB distribution. The Monte Carlo simulations were conducted with codes written in R, all results were based on 1000 runs. The estimation of parameter for the class of INAR(1) model gives a better result when the number of observations is small and the parameter value is high. The NB estimation gives a better result when the number of observations is small and with large K values. The forecasting accuracy of the model at different lead time period l =1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15 were investigated with codes written in R. The results showed that the minimum mean square error (MMSE) produced when the number of lead times forecasts is between one and five were less than that produced when the numbers of lead times forecast were greater than five. The MMSE increased when the number of lead time periods increases. This result indicates that forecasting with this class of model is better with short time frame of predictions. The study was applied to the number of deaths arising from COVID-19 in Nigeria which consist of count time series data of 48 observations (weekly data), from January 2021 to December 2021.

Film in Health Campaigns and Reduction in Incidence of COVID-19 in Nigeria: A Thematic Discourse Analysis

The main thrust of this study was to explore the efficacy of films in instigating behavioral change in campaigns against COVID-19 in Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to establish the critical role that films play in promoting the key messages of COVID-19 health campaigns and to explicate the approach in which the films used in anti-COVID-19 health campaigns contribute to behavioral change among the population with a view to reducing further incidence of COVID-19. Cultivation Theory and Health Belief Model provided the theoretical underpinning to this study. To achieve the set objectives, the study adopted a qualitative research design where thematic (content) analysis and critical discourse analysis were deployed to review and discuss the prevalent COVID-19 preventive and containment themes, appeals, and strategies embedded in the films used in anti-COVID-19 campaigns. The study focused on three categories of films: anti-COVID-19 documentary films; short feature films; and animated films for kids endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Nigeria Ministry of Health under the aegis of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. Each of these categories was reviewed, encompassing a total of nine films —three from each category. A thematic analytical review of some of the films deployed in the COVID-19 health campaigns revealed that the films were loaded with health-related themes, appeals, and strategies that, when considered holistically, aimed at influencing or changing people’s behavior with a view to containing and reducing the risk for further incidence of the disease.

Perception, knowledge, and consumption pattern of dietary supplement used during COVID-19 pandemic among black Africans: Perspective of Nigerians.

To investigate the pattern and determinants of DHS use among the Nigerian population for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Setting: Older adolescents and adults residing in Nigeria. Participants (n = 645) residing in the Nigeria were recruited from different geo-political zones and various ethnic groups. Prevalence and determinants for the use of different DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria, and sources of information for DHS use. Most participants (425, 65.9%) believed that dietary supplements are necessary during infectious disease outbreak, but a fewer proportion believed that supplements can be used in conjunction with other drugs to treat Covid-19. Vitamin C was the most known (70.0%) and Vitamin A. The least known (0.3%) dietary supplement Approximately half (50.2%) of the study subjects, more than a third (37.8%) and less than a quarter (22.7%) were aware that Folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E are DS. Herbal dietary supplements mentioned as known by the study participants included Garlic (46.5%), Ginger (44.7%), Tumeric (36.3%), Moringa (40.0%) and Ginseng (26.3%). Citrus fruit as a DS was recognized by fewer (6.5%) study participants and only 1.6% referred to herbal tea as DHS. In all, 571 (88.5%) of the study participants took DHS during the Covid-19 pandemic with males 1.5 times more likely to take DHS than females (χ2 = 3.09, P-value = 0.08, OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.95, 2.47) during the pandemic. Participants reported lesser consumption of Selenium (27, 4.2%), Iron (20,3.1%), Zinc (61, 9.5%) and calcium (101, 15.7%) to prevent/treat Covid-19. Majority (271, 42.0%) of the study participants mentioned "health worker" as source of information on DHS while 13% mentioned "Social media". The sociodemographic determinants of DHS practices used to prevent/treat COVID-19 during the pandemic included older age group of 61-70 years, widows, secondary level of education and not employed. The findings showed widespread use of DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The use of DHS in this study was mainly guided by health workers with a marginal role of social media and Mass media. These findings call for a more robust consolidative tactic towards DHS to ensure its proper and safe use.

Church leader's Interpretation of COVID-19 in Nigeria: Science, Conspiracies, and Spiritualization.

The need for governments across the globe to collaborate with religious leaders in the fight against COVID-19 has been emphasized by international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO). However, there has not been much discernible scholarly effort to know what religious leaders think of COVID-19. The present study, therefore, explored the interpretations church leaders have about COVID-19 in Nigeria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen leaders from Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches in Nigeria. Using a thematic analytical approach, the study found that only few church leaders interpreted COVID-19 as a medical problem in line with science (33%). The rest interpreted the virus as a tool of conspiracies/political manoeuvrings (27%) and as a spiritual event (39%). The study discussed the implications of the findings for policy and research as well as how to address some of the harmful interpretations.

Train-the-trainers intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in Nigeria

BackgroundThe first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was reported on February 27, 2020, and over time, spread across the country leading to many healthcare worker infections. The risk of transmission of COVID-19 within healthcare facilities makes it necessary to establish infection prevention and control measures. The World Health Organisation supported the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to conduct a train-the-trainers workshop on infection prevention and control for key healthcare workers across Nigeria. Aim/ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the process and results of train-the-trainers as an intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Nigeria. MethodsEight-hour sessions were held over three days with face-to-face instruction and practical hands-on experience in April 2020. A total of 61 healthcare workers participated across the six geographic zones of Nigeria: North Central, North East, North West, South West, South East, and South South. The training included slide presentations, case-based scenarios, and practical hands-on sessions with plenary discussions. Pre- and post-test assessments were used to evaluate knowledge of COVID-19, triage, and infection prevention and control among healthcare workers. Finding/Results69 % (42) of the participants were male 31 % (19) were female, and the majority (67 %) were medical doctors. Others attending were nurses or health administrators. Of the 70 % (26) of the states with existing infection prevention and control structures within the COVID emergency response, only 40 % were functional. The average percentage of pre-test and post-test scores were 60.8 ± 13.4 and 67.8 ± 9 0.3 respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p > 0.001) in trainee knowledge. Additionally, 70 % of participants evaluated the training workshop as “satisfactory” or higher in training format, relevance for daily clinical work, active participation, learning new concepts, and logistics. ConclusionNationwide infection prevention and control training is feasible during a national health crisis. Infection prevention and control is cardinal in the containment of epidemic-prone diseases like COVID-19 and is invaluable in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings.

Stability of Covid-19 Dynamics: A Case Study of Nigeria

In this paper, a SEIR epidemic model is considered; where individuals in the population are assigned to different compartments of SEIR defined with respect to epidemic status of Covid-19 in Nigeria. The article has demonstrated a simple mathematical model for the transmission of Covid-19 disease taking into account loss of human immunity with the aim that this model proves useful in controlling the possibility of a person contracting Covid-19 twice. When the basic reproduction number means that the Covid-19 free equilibrium solution is locally asymptotically stable. This suggests that the number of new cases of the disease will decrease over time and eventually will vanish as that whcih causes are established. The basic reproduction number and the model analysis (local stability of disease-free equilibrium and disease-endemic equilibrium) of the system were calculated and the stability of the SEIR model was checked.

Political confrontations and disagreements in the Nigerian Government’s COVID-19 response

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to various interventions and policies from governments around the world, including Nigeria. However, Nigeria’s response was laden with political interests, confrontation and disagreements from various blocs of interest. Therefore, this study aims to examine various phenomena of political confrontation and disagreement during COVID-19 intervention. This study uses qualitative methods. Data were obtained through qualitative secondary data and analyzed thematically. The results of this study indicate that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) are the two political parties that engage in the most political confrontation and disagreement. This study found that conflicting interests also occurred between the government and several interest groups regarding the import of foreign health workers and the distribution of COVID-19 assistance. Similarly, disagreements also ensued between the federal government and some subnational governments over their refusal to acknowledge the existence and/or severity of COVID-19. This study concludes that political conflicts and disagreements during COVID-19 in Nigeria were caused by government policies and interventions that could not be separated from competing interests and needs of the political, business, and professional elite.