Ozichu Ekama Sabdat, Abike Gbajabiamila Titilola, Olurotimi Salako Abideen, Ayoola Oladele David, Odubela Oluwatosin.O., Nkiru David Agatha, Chukwujekwu Ezechi Oliver, Lawal Salako Babatunde, Challenges and Factors Associated with Adherence to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in a Slum Setting, Journal of Public Health International, Volume 4, Issue 4, 2022, Pages 41-50, ISSN 2641-4538, https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-22-4167.
(https://oapgroup.org/jphi/article/1813)
Abstract: Objectives This study aims to evaluate the challenges of implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions, assess adherence, accessibility to prevention materials and identify requirements for the control of the spread of COVID-19 among individuals living in a slum-setting in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This is a five-month cross-sectional study conducted in Makoko, Lagos an urban-slum community. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions and adherence to COVID-19 prevention strategies were obtained with a semi-structured questionnaire. Logistics-regression model was used to determine factors associated with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Results There was a total of 357 participants who had a mean age of 45.8 ± 12.9 years. Majority were males (62.2%), married (83.8%), self-employed (66.4%), and had secondary education (31.4%). Most participants (93.8%) had no space for self-isolation as majority lived in a one-room apartment (72.8%), shared toilets/kitchen space (64.4 %), had no constant source of water supply (61.9%) and buy water (62.5%). About 98.8% are aware of the COVID-19 pandemic but only 33.9% adhered. Most of the participants disclosed inability to purchase face masks/ hand sanitizers (68.9%). After adjusting for covariates, the ability to afford facemasks/hand sanitizers (P < 0.0001, aOR 6.646; 95% CI: 3.805-11.609), living alone (P < 0.0001, aOR 3.658; 95% CI: 1.267-10.558), and ability to buy water (aOR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14-0.50), had greater odds of association with adherence to the non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 preventive measures. Conclusion The lack of isolation space among majority of the respondents calls for concern. Inability to purchase prevention materials is a major factor influencing poor compliance to COVID-19 prevention strategies.
Keywords: COVID-19 prevention; COVID-19 pandemic; Crowded settings; SARS-CoV-2 Virus.