Psychological Factors In Adherence To Covid-19 Protocol: The Panacea To Its Containment

Abstract

Covid-19 is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2). The capacity of the SARS-2 to spread across the globe stem from its air borne nature. The virus is transmitted through the air contaminated by droplets and air borne particles containing the virus. In an attempt to ascertain possible factors that inhibit and factors that promote adherence to Covid-19 protocols, this study investigated psychological factors in adherence to covid-19 protocol: The panacea to its containment. A total of 621 participants within the age range of 18 and 61 years comprised of 372 males and 249 females were used for the study. They were drawn from the population of residents in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State using availability sampling technique. A 12-item and a 6-item questionnaires designed by the researchers were used for data collection. The design was cross sectional survey design while descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data obtained from the participants using SPSS version 23. The results showed that factors militating against adherence to covid19 pandemic protocol include: participants believed  that our immunity is stronger than the Covid-19 538(78.9%); God protects His people 581(85.3%);social interaction is our culture 606(89.0%);government is deceiving people 611(89.7%); Covid does not exist with 527(77.4%), government is insincere about the covid-19 pandemic 611(90.5%) people are afraid of stigmatization/isolation 521(76.5%)and Covid-19 is avenue for making money for government 612(89.9%). On factors to facilitate adherence most participants agreed that transparency on the part of government, sensitization on the prevalence and dangers of Covid-19; government should provide the protocol items in public place and stiff penalty for defaulters are imperative even during future pandemics should there be any. The researchers therefore recommended that for people to adhere strictly to Covid-19 protocols, effort should be made to adopt measures as identified in this study.