Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perception of Covid-19 among a Cross-section of Nsukka Residents

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly transmissible and pathogenic infection caused by SARSCoV-2, first identified in Wuhan, China, and later spread globally. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, practice, and perception (KAP) of COVID-19 among Nsukka residents, including staff and students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and some members of the general public. A descriptive crosssectional study involving 500 participants aged 18 and above was conducted using a pre-validated, 42-item self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, chi-square, and means with IBM SPSS version 25. Of 550 questionnaires distributed, all were completed and returned, yielding a 100% response rate. Among the 500 respondents, females (51.2%) slightly outnumbered males (48.2%). Most participants were aged 21 (66.1%), single (73.1%), and Christians (94.2%). Educationally, 83.6% had completed secondary school, while 8.7% had post-secondary education. Knowledge of COVID-19 was high, especially in responses to knowledge-based questions (K1–K11). Attitudes were largely positive, possibly due to participants’ educational backgrounds. Many feared contact with symptomatic individuals and were cautious about food safety (A1–A3). Preventive practices such as handwashing, sanitizing, and maintaining hygiene were widely adopted. Most respondents acknowledged COVID-19’s significant impact on their routines, education, finances, and social lives. Overall, the respondents demonstrated strong knowledge and adherence to preventive practices. While the majority showed responsible attitudes and behaviors toward COVID-19, a minority still displayed gaps in awareness and compliance.

Keywords: COVID-19, Prevention, Novel Disease, Understanding, Belief.