Social Determinants of Testing COVID-19 Infections among Private and Public Sector Workers in Yenagoa City, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Oyintonyo Michael-Olomu; Endurance Uzobo; Ebidoyawefa Opuru

doi:10.25159/2957-3645/13390

Authors

Oyintonyo Michael-Olomu Federal University Otuoke https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5846-6995
Endurance Uzobo Niger Delta University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-8268
Ebidoyawefa Opuru Niger Delta University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2957-3645/13390

Keywords:

COVID-19, public sector, private sector, health belief model, sociocultural

Abstract

Coronavirus is a deadly global pandemic and public emergency that spread rapidly in the population. Confirmed cases are still low, while testing of the disease has been associated with fear and stigmatization. Previous studies have largely concentrated on the clinical aspects, while neglecting the social aspects of testing the diseases, especially among workers. This study examined the social determinants of testing COVID-19 infections among private and public sector employees in Yenagoa City, Bayelsa State. While the Health Belief Model (HBM) provided the theoretical base for this study, the cross-sectional survey served as the study design for the study. Data for this study was collected through the use of a structured questionnaire randomly administered to 422 employees in private and public organisations. Collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square and Multiple Linear Regression at a 95% significance level. The average age of the respondents was 41.58±9.67 years. Findings indicated that while the knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms among the respondents was generally high, only 38.6% have undertaken the COVID-19 test. Testing was significantly related to social factors such as workplace (x²=6.21), age (x²=45.97), and marital status (x²=39.66). Additionally, marital status (β=0.369) and grade level (β=0.285) positively predicted attitudes towards testing. The study recommended that the agencies of government saddled with public enlightenment in partnership with the proprietors of the private sector should strengthen their efforts towards sensitizing their employees of the need to undergo the test to know their COVID-19 status through the media.

Keywords: COVID-19, Public sector, Private sector, Health Belief Model, Socio-cultural

Author Biographies

Oyintonyo Michael-Olomu, Federal University Otuoke

I am an Academic Lecturer currently a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University Otuoke, Yenagoa Bayelsa, Nigeria. PhD

Endurance Uzobo, Niger Delta University

I am an Academic Lecturer, currently a Lecturer I at the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Nigeria. PhD

Ebidoyawefa Opuru, Niger Delta University

Research Assistant

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