The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health emergency of international concern with various
countries of the world implementing unprecedented measures to curb the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. The
knowledge, attitudes and practices of the people toward COVID-19 is important for successful implementation of
measures that will halt the spread of the disease. This study sought to determine the levels of knowledge, attitude and
practice toward COVID-19 among mothers in Owerri, South East Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic
Methodology
A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using convenience sampling technique. Data were collected from
mothers who presented with their children to the children outpatient unit of Paediatrics Department of Federal
Medical Centre Owerri Imo State with the aid of pre-tested, semi structured, self-administered questionnaire and
analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results
Three hundred and thirty nine (339) respondents completed and returned the questionnaire. Majority of the mothers
149 (44%) were within the age bracket of 30-39 years. All (100%) of the mothers were aware of covid-19 pandemic.
Majority 215 (63.4%) of the respondents did not know the cause of Covid-19 while (11.2%), and (5.0%), attributed it
to wrath of God and 5G network respectively. One hundred and sixty three (48.3%) of the respondents would receive
or allow their children receive covid-19 vaccine. Age (p=0.46, x = 1.74), educational status (p=0.72, x = 0.68) and
marital status (p 0.64, x = 7.88) do not significantly affect the decision to be vaccinated. Most of the respondents
(80.8%) know that appropriate wearing of masks can protect from covid-19. However, only 56.0% of them mothers
wear the masks. Neither age nor acquisition of tertiary education influenced this practice.(x=0.97, p=0.62,x=0.84,
p=0.66)
Conclusion
Despite a good knowledge of COVID 19 by mothers in Owerri, Imo state Nigeria, there is poor attitude and practice
towards the application of the non-pharmacological means of controlling the disease spread, especially the use of face
masks and social distancing. Additionally, mothers in Owerri will be unwilling to give COVID-19 vaccines to their
children if made available to them.