A Comparative Analysis of the Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude of Ghanaians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 Survivors

Authors

Emmanuel Lamptey, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (Including Health and Agriculture), Pan African University, University of Ibadan, NigeriaFollow
Dorcas Serwaa, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (Including Health and Agriculture), Pan African University, University of Ibadan, NigeriaFollow
Maxwell Hubert Antwi, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nkenkaasu Government Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Offinso-North, GhanaFollow
Theckla Ikome Ms, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (Including Health and Agriculture), Pan African University, University of Ibadan, NigeriaFollow
Nkechi Odogwu, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (Including Health and Agriculture), Pan African University, University of Ibadan, NigeriaFollow

Abstract

Introduction: In Africa, COVID-19 associated stigmatization still remains the contextual factor that poses a challenge for the mitigation and suppression of COVID-19 spread, especially among the illiterate populations. This comparative study was therefore conducted to assess the knowledge and willingness of Ghanaians and Nigerians to associate with COVID-19 survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect information from 290 Ghanaian and 220 Nigerian nationals aged 18 years and above between 11th July-30th October 2020. An electronic-based questionnaire was developed to collect information on the public. The data were analyzed with SPSS v 22 and factors influencing knowledge and willingness to associate with COVID-19 survivors were identified using chi-square and logistic regression at p=0.05.

Results: The mean age of all participants was 26.18(SD=6.87), about 75% of the Ghanaians and 81.8% of Nigerians were within 25-34 years of age. . Ghanaians were more knowledgeable about COVID-19, 230(79.3%) compared with Nigerians 60(27.3%). High stigmatizing attitude was dominant among Nigerians 140(73.7) than Ghanaian 50 (26.3). While age significantly increased knowledge [OR: 2.83(1.461,5.495), p=0.002] and deceased stigmatizing attitude [OR: 0.35(0.182,0.684), p=0.002] in Ghana, it wasn’t significant in Nigeria. In both countries, religious affiliation and education were not statistically associated with knowledge and stigmatizing attitude.

Conclusions: The overall knowledge and willingness to associate with COVID-19 survivors among these study participants were fairly adequate and welcoming for the integration of COVID-19 survivors into normal living. Stakeholders should embark on COVID-19 stigmatization campaigns through a timely online update, van mobilization and mass media broadcasting aimed at stopping and preventing further stigma surrounding infected and recovered persons.

Funder

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

DOI

10.55504/2473-0327.1080

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Lamptey, Emmanuel; Serwaa, Dorcas; Antwi, Maxwell Hubert; Ikome, Theckla Ms; and Odogwu, Nkechi (2021) "A Comparative Analysis of the Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude of Ghanaians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 Survivors," Journal of Refugee & Global Health: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 , Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55504/2473-0327.1080
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/rgh/vol4/iss1/1