Open J Public Health | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access
Benjamin Odeka* and Remi Akejelu
Department of Public Health, Lady Helen Child Health Foundation, Nigeria
*Correspondance to: Benjamin Odeka
Fulltext PDFBackground: The importation of COVID 19 to Nigeria with attendant need for hand hygiene and social distancing has generated mixed public reaction and prompted government actions which on occasion are seen as confused, unclear and unfocused. Decision on restricted movement was generalized without clear consideration on the status of vulnerable children in different social settings. Objectives: To determine COVID 19 awareness, knowledge, and related behaviors among staff and children in the orphanages located in the Federal Capital territory of Abuja. To record the impact of government message on prevention and management of coronavirus disease and social support promised under the social intervention project. Design: Direct questionnaire administered to residential orphanages in the federal capital territory of Abuja. Setting: The 34 orphanages located within the federal capital territory of Abuja, Nigeria. Institutions: Administrators and cares in 34 residential orphanages with a population of 521 at the time of the survey. Measurements: Self reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in line with government provided information and support in relation to COVID-19 measures. Results: The 67% response rate was recorded in the study from participants of which all the respondents (100%) were aware of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost all participants have put in place measures to prevent the virus infection (95%). Most respondents 19 of the 20 (95%) were not contacted by any government agency nor able to access the government support of palliatives as promised when the lock down was announced. Conclusion: Many orphanages in the federal capital territory have clear awareness of the symptoms, preventive measures and actions required to stop the spread of COVID-19. Most of the respondents (95%) have not received government palliation as required prior to the lock down. The deficiency of lack of palliation will need to be rectified to enable these vulnerable children to survive the impact of the pandemic.
Covid-19; Covid; Corona Virus; Coronavirus disease 2019
Odeka B, Akejelu R. Awareness, Actions and Support Related to COVID-19 among Orphanages in the Federal Territory of Abuja at Onset of Restricted Movement in March-April 2020. Open J Public Health. 2020;2(1):1009..