Jun 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-20-3442
Cameron Y. S. LeeCorresponding author
The Covid-19 pandemic has swept rapidly from Wuhan, China to the entire globe in less than six months, infecting over 7 million people and claiming the lives of over 500,000. In the United States, greater than 2 million individuals have become infected and over 110,000 people killed. With no evidence of slowing of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, public health authorities must prepare for possible sustained transmission of Covid-19, or a second wave into the Fall 2020, but with the presence of the influenza A virus. In the Fall 2020, schools will reopen from kindergarten to 12th grade. Dual pandemics or epidemics will result in high morbidity and mortality not observed when either virus was solely active. Community leaders, educational administrators and public health systems must be prepared for simultaneous outbreaks of both Covid-19 and influenza. Although there are no clinical studies that have evaluated the benefits on the use of face masks during an epidemic or pandemic, public health non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPIs) measures should include the routine use of face masks during school sessions. Using face masks with other NPI may interrupt viral transmission as it has been established that respiratory viruses, such as Covid-19 and the influenza virus are transmitted via respiratory droplets, aerosols, and environmental surface contact.
May 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-22-4167
Ozichu Ekama SabdatCorresponding author
Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research 6 Edmund Crescent P.M.B 2013, Yaba, Lagos Nigeria
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.