Benue State University, Makurdi

KNOWLEDGE OF COVID-19, RISK PERCEPTION AND PRECAUTIONARY BEHAVIOURS AMONG RESIDENTS OF GBOKO, BENUE STATE

Emmanuel AondonaAgber & Samuel Terzungwe Anhange

Abstract

This study investigated knowledge of COVID-19, risk perception and precautionary behaviours among residents of Gboko, Benue State. The study adopted the Ex Post-facto design where 384 residents who comprised of 148 (38.5%) males and 236 (61.5%) females were used. There ages ranged from 25-51years with a mean age of 37years (SD=8.75). Multistage sampling was adopted for the study. Three instruments that includeKnowledge of COVID-19 Scale, the Health Risk Perception Scale and the COVID-19 Precautionary Behaviours Scale were used for data collection. Three hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression, and standard multiple regression. Results of the study indicated that knowledge of COVID-19 had a significant positive influence on precautionary behaviour. Secondly, the result also indicated that risk perception had a significant positive influence on precautionary behaviour. Also, the result indicated that both knowledge of COVID-19 and risk perception had a significant joint influence on precautionary behaviour. Based on these findings, it was recommended that; efforts to disseminate information on the nature, extent, mode of transmission, preventive measures, treatment and vaccination to the public be intensified. Also, clinical psychologists as agents of disease prevention should organize sensitization and psychoeducational programmes to educate the residents of Gboko on the ways to prevent themselves from contracting COVID-19.

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