Compliance with Covid-19 Non-Medicinal Preventive Protocol and Intent to Accept Covid-19 Vaccine Among Adults in South Eastern Nigeria

Background A Non-pharmaceutical public health measures are being promoted for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic covid-19 influenza and the introduction of its vaccine necessitate the assessment of individual perception regarding the vaccine. This study assessed compliance with covid-19 non-medicinal preventive protocol and intent to accept covid-19 vaccine among adults in Owerri West, Imo state Nigeria. Method Descriptive cross sectional research design was employed in recruiting four hundred and thirty six (436) participants used for the study. Using SPSS version 23, data were subjected to descriptive and Chi-square analysis. Results Results showed that almost all of them 433(99%) have heard about covid-19 especially from radio 151(35%). A vast number of them know the cause of the disease 397(92%) and when and where it was first reported 423(98%). They were aware that the disease is transmitted through respiratory droplet 351(81%) and it can enter the body through the nose 400(92%), mouth 359(83%) and eyes 362(84%). Moreover, almost all of them know that the disease has no cure 398(92%). On their perception, majority of them strongly agreed that the disease is real and is a serious disease but not in Nigeria where most of the participants disagreed that people did not die from the disease 303(69%). Most of them strongly perceived that the disease can be prevented through regular washing of hands with soap 291(67%), maintaining social distance 223(51%), wearing of nose mask 204(47%), cleaning and disinfecting the environment 231(53%). However, most of them sometimes wear nose mask wash their hands with soap 298(68%) and maintain at least one meter distance when with others 283(65%). Equally, the participants sometimes wash cloth nose mask before reuse 288(66%) but never share nose mask with any other person 200(46%). Moreover, most of them sometimes touch face with fingers 231(53%), clean and disinfect door handles 258(59%), tables and chairs 252(58%). Most of them sometimes sneeze/cough into their elbow 244(56%) and dispose tissue paper used for sneezing/coughing into a closed bin 325(75%), travel in a crowded vehicle 244(56%), attend events with more than 50 persons in attendance 189(43%) and in general sometimes follow all the recommended preventive measures 259(59%) resulting in greater proportions of them 197(45%) observing low level of compliance. Major barrier for not observing the preventive measures as reported by majority of the respondents is that hand washing with soap for up to 20 minutes is lack of time 203(47%), feel uncomfortable with wearing of nose mask 180(41%), attend crowded events because it is very crucial 167(38%) and usually touch their face when cleaning sweat 178(41%). Only few of the participants 114(26%) were willing to accept vaccine especially if it given free of charge 151(35%) in liquid form 55(48%) and its safety trusted 352(81%). Prominent reason for not taking vaccine was because of hidden agenda behind it which is not to the advantage of humanity 87(27%) whereas prominent reason for accepting it was to prevent the recipient from getting the disease 88(77%). Conclusion With the exception of religion, all the demographic characteristics had significant influence (p<0.05) on the level of compliance to covid-19 preventive measures and respondents’ intent to accept covid-19 vaccine when provided. Therefore, to increase vaccine acceptability, baseless rumors and myths against the COVID-19 vaccines must be checked and they should be reached out with scientific facts describing the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.