Risk perception of COVID-19 among sub-Sahara Africans: a web-based comparative survey of local and diaspora residents

Abstract

Background Perceived risk towards the coronavirus pandemic is key to improved compliance with public health measures to reduce the infection rates. This study investigated how Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) living in their respective countries and those in the diaspora perceive their risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus as well as the associated factors. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey on 1969 participants aged 18 years and above (55.1% male) was conducted between April 27th and May 17th 2020, corresponding to the mandatory lockdown in most SSA countries. The dependent variable was the perception of risk for contracting COVID-19 scores. Independent variables included demographic characteristics, and COVID-19 related knowledge and attitude scores. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses identified the factors associated with risk perception towards COVID-19. Results Among the respondents, majority were living in SSA (n = 1855, 92.8%) and 143 (7.2%) in the diaspora. There was no significant difference in the mean risk perception scores between the two groups (p = 0.117), however, those aged 18–28 years had lower risk perception scores (p = 0.003) than the older respondents, while those who were employed (p = 0.040) and had higher levels of education (p < 0.001) had significantly higher risk perception scores than other respondents. After adjusting for covariates, multivariable analyses revealed that SSA residents aged 39–48 years (adjusted coefficient, β = 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 1.19]) and health care sector workers (β = 0.61, 95% CI [0.09, 1.14]) reported a higher perceived risk of COVID-19. Knowledge and attitude scores increased as perceived risk for COVID-19 increased for both SSAs in Africa (β = 1.19, 95% CI [1.05, 1.34] for knowledge; β = 0.63, 95% CI [0.58, 0.69] for attitude) and in Diaspora (β = 1.97, 95% CI [1.16, 2.41] for knowledge; β = 0.30, 95% CI [0.02, 0.58] for attitude). Conclusions There is a need to promote preventive measures focusing on increasing people’s knowledge about COVID-19 and encouraging positive attitudes towards the mitigation measures such as vaccines and education. Such interventions should target the younger population, less educated and non-healthcare workers.

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

“…The use of an online survey has the potential to result in selection bias and could have unduly excluded residents in SSA without internet access. The preponderance of educated persons in this study is another limitation that is a characteristic of most survey studies in Africa [ 19 , 20 , 37 , 42 ] and elsewhere [ 43 ]. These study findings may not be generalizable to the entire SSA because not all countries in SSA answered the questions.…”

“…The study has some limitations which should be interpreted within the context of the study. Using a perceived risk score that ranged from 0–8 points may violate some linear regression assumptions [ 19 , 41 ]. The use of an online survey has the potential to result in selection bias and could have unduly excluded residents in SSA without internet access.…”

“…In South Africa, a study showed that a higher perceived risk of COVID-19 infection was associated with greater depressive symptoms and, with such high rates of severe mental illness coupled with the low availability of mental healthcare amidst COVID-19 in the region, there is a need for studies to understand if the change in time has any effect on the level of risk perception for targeted intervention, including the need for immediate and accessible psychological resources [ 18 ]. In our recent study conducted during the early lockdown, SSA displayed high individual risk perception scores, which was greater in older participants and those working in health care sectors after adjusting for covariates [ 19 ]. It is unclear whether similar risk perceptions and associated factors remain after participants have grown in their knowledge of the disease spread and the commencement of the vaccine rollout in most SSA countries.…”

Influencing factors for public risk perception of COVID-19 ——perspective of the pandemic whole life cycle

“…In terms of individual characteristics, it is found that demographic factors including gender, age, work, and residence during the pandemic have a significant effect on risk perception. The risk perception scores of people aged 18–28 are lower than those of older respondents who have a job and have a higher level of education have significantly higher risk perception scores than other respondents [ [17] , [18] , [19] ]. Demographic factors are the main determinants of COVID-19 risk perception.…”

Insights into Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy and Promoting Factors in Childhood Immunization Programs—A Cross-Sectional Survey in Cameroon

“…In these countries, vaccine acceptance was positively associated with COVID-19 knowledge and threat regarding COVID-19. However, as information that COVID-19 vaccine-induced death spread within communities [ 38 ], a study indicated a low-risk perception of COVID-19 among Sub-Sahara Africans [ 39 ]. Therefore, fear of adverse effects from vaccines “makes sense”.…”