INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3524
www.rsisinternational.org
Information and Misinformation of Covid-19 Pandemic: A
Descriptive Analysis of Local Perception in Delta State, Nigeria
1
Uzum, D. S.,
1
Onojafe, J. O.
2
Eberendu, I. F.,
2
Ozims, S. J and
2
Nwoke, B. E. B
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Nigeria
2
Department of Public Health, Imo State University, Oweri, Nigeria
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.120800319
Received: 14 Jan 2025; Accepted: 28 Jan 2025; Published: 10 October 2025
ABSTRACT
A lot of misconceptions and misinformation are been circulated concerning COVID-19. This study was
therefore designed to investigate the role, and impact of information and misinformation with regard to socio-
demographic factor relative to knowledge, attitude and cultural belief of the people of Delta State. The study
adopted an online survey about misinformation on COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigated social media
such as Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook; and physical interaction and their impact on misinformation of
COVID-19 on misinformation and information. The structured questionnaire was used for data collection.
Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage, mean and standard deviation. Finding of the study
showed that overall 45% of the sample population had good knowledge of COVID-19 management practice.
Significant difference was found between the demographic factor knowledge and practice of COVID-19
management procedure, hence the impact was felt in Delta State. Also, the level of information about
COVID-19 was low, due to the impact of socio-demographic factor about COVID-19 in Delta State. The
acceptability of such information about COVID-19 prevention protocols were hindered by misconceptions
(socio-demographic factors) about COVID-19 information, hence orientation of the populace about COVID-
19 education need to be enhanced in Delta State. It was concluded that the knowledge of COVID-19 was poor
and the practice (prevention protocol) was also poor among the respondents. It was recommended that health
programme planners should consider reorientation of the respondents against COVID-19.
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 outbreak is the greatest challenge of the 21
st
century. Today, governments are grappling to
tackle false and misinformation spreading through social media about COVID-19. In late December 2019, an
outbreak of a strange disease (COVID-19) which is characterized by fever, dry cough, fatigue, and occasional
gastrointestinal symptoms. It occurred in a seafood wholesale wet market in Wuhan,China. Since then, it has
spread to many countries such as Thailand, Japan, the republic of Korea, Vietnam, Germany, brazil, the
United States, and Singapore (Chian, Yu-jium, 2020). Since December 2019 and as at the first week of 2021,
about 11,123,3,852 cases of COVID-19 under the applied case definitions and testing strategies in the
affected countries have been reported including 2,721,891 deaths.( ECDPC,2021)
The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact all facets of the society. Equally, anyone who is
irresponsible during and after COVID-19 outbreak would likely put others at risk. The COVID-19 pandemic
is accompanied by various stressors that requires adjustment in everyday life and possibly changes in personal
prospects. While some individuals may cope well with COVID-19, others may develop psychological distress
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3525
www.rsisinternational.org
which includes depressive symptoms, anxiety, or stress. (Noewi Anja Brog, Julia Katherine Hegy,Thomas
Berger and Hans Jorg Znoj, 2021).
WHO declared COVID-19 a global health emergency, it introduced several healthcare protocols to mitigate
the potential impact. Bauweister (2019) maintains that the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria was
accompanied by online, local and foreign information.
The COVID-119 is regarded as the first social media pandemic which have caused a huge disaster in the 21
st
century due to misinformation about the disease. Misinformation pertaining COVID-19 pandemic is
generating severe risk to public health. To inform effective public health, especially among farmers, it to
investigate the information and misinformation of COVID-19 in Delta State, Nigeria. The study, therefore
investigated the local perception of Covid 19 Delta State, Nigeria
Objective of the study
The broad objective of the study is to investigate the local perception of Covid 19 and its implication on food
production in Delta State, Nigeria.
The specific Objectives were to
i. identify the sources of information and misinformation of Covid 19 in Delta state
ii. examine the respondents knowledge about Covid 19 symptoms
iii. ascertain the knowledge and attitude of respondents towards Covid 19 pandemic precautionary
methods
iv. determine the Covid 19 precautionary methods practice and culture among the respondents
METHODOLOGY
The study adopted an analytical cross sectional survey with 153,500 questionnaire drawn from the recourse of
genera knowledge about COVID-19, its symptoms, precautionary methods and practice of precautionary
method in relationship to socio-demographic factor of the sample. The survey was conducted in selected semi-
urban, urban and rural areas with high intensity for food in Delta State, Nigeria. In August to November 2020,
random sampling technique was used to select the samples from the selected semi-urban, urban and rural
areas of Delta State, with informed consent of the respondents.
The research tools were grouped into participants demographics e.g. age, occupation, religion, sex, coupled
with social demographic factor reactions to information knowledge, knowledge about symptoms of COVID -
19, COVID-19 precautionary method knowledge , knowledge about symptoms of COVID-19,and the practice
of precautionary method of COVID-19 prevention protocol.
A self-developed comprehensive and well Structured questionnaire which includes areas of knowledge about
information about the pandemic, knowledge of symptoms of COVID-19, knowledge on precautionary
methods and the practice of precautionary methods to avoid the virus. The questionnaire responses were
recorded as yes, no and not sure. General analysis was done using frequency and percentage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3526
www.rsisinternational.org
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the information and misinformation of COVID 19 pandemic
in Delta State.
The data generated from the questionnaire responses were grouped according to the research questions. The
results were then presented in tables for easy analysis of data. The questionnaires include information on
source of COVID 19 Pandemic information, information about COVID 19 symptoms, information on
knowledge, attitudes & behavior of respondents to COVID 19 Pandemic and lastly information on COVID 19
precautionary practice and culture (Table 2-5) responses were recorded as “yes”, “No” and not sure” Analysis
were performed using frequency and percentages.
RESULTS
The result of study was presented and discussed under the following two sections.
Section A respondent data
Section B respondent questionnaires
Section A: Respondent data
50.40%
49.60%
49.20% 49.40% 49.60% 49.80% 50.00% 50.20% 50.40% 50.60%
Male
Female
Figure 1: sex of respndents
Sales
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3527
www.rsisinternational.org
9.90%
25.70%
32.60%
26.90%
4.90%
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
18- 30 31- 43 44-56 57- 69 70 - 73
figure 2: Age distribution of respondents
Age categories (years)
21.30%
27.10%
30.90%
16.90%
3.90%
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
Health Personnel Businessman &
woman
Civil Servants Student Farmers
Figure 3: Occupational distribution of respondents
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3528
www.rsisinternational.org
From the finding on basic demography respondent data in table (1) above, it was found that 50.4% of the
respondents were male while 49.6% of them were female. This result show a faire distribution of the male and
female gender among the respondents, suggesting that responses will be presented as it affect the male and
female gender accordingly. Similar sex distraction was reported by Onyemekihian et al., (2022) who reported
a sex distribution of 54.22% and 45.78% respectively for delta state Nigeria. It was also found from the study
that 15,205 (9.9%) of respondents were between 18-30 years, 39,490 (25.7%) were between 31-45 years,
41,300 (26.9%) of the respondent were 57-69years, while 7,500 (4.9%) of the respondent were between 70-83
years. This suggests a high population of middle age persons in the community. Similar result was by
Onyemekonwu, et al., (2019) who reported a mean age of 43 years for respondents in Delta State, Nigeria.
In terms of occupation, it was found that 32,650 (21.3%) of the respondent population are health personnel,
41,590 (27.1%) are business men/woman and 47,408 (30.9%) of the respondent are civil servants, 25,900
representing 16.9% of the respondent are student, while 5,952 (3.9%) are farmers. In Religion it was found
that 124,335 (81%) are Christian, 18,420 (12%) are Muslim while 10,745 (7%) are traditional Africa Religion.
SECTION B; RESPONDENT QUESTIONAIRE
TABLE 2 INFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION SOURCE
NO
RESOURCE
YES
%
NO
%
NO
%
1
Media (electronic &
print )
76,750
50
64,163
41.8
14,587
8.2
2
Social Media
(Facebook, Internet,
Whatsapp etc)
104,687
68.2
21,183
13.8
27,630
18.2
3
Family members,
place of work &
friends
84.425
55
49,58.5
32.3
19,494.5
12.7
4
Health professionals
61.400
40
76,750
50
15,350
10
TABLE 3 INFORMATION KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COVID 19 SYMPTOMS
NO
SYMPTOMS
YES
%
NO
%
Not SURE
%
1
Flu
76, 750
50
61,400
40%
15,350
10
2
Cough
73,680
48
64,410
42
15,350
10
3
Sore throat
84,425
55
32.3
32.3
14,444
12.7
4
Headache
61,400
40
76,750
50
15,350
10
5
Difficulty in
breathing
92,100
60
46,052
30
15,350
10
6
Fever
98,240
64
41,445
27
13,815
9
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3529
www.rsisinternational.org
7
Muscle or joint
pains
89,030
58
49,120
32
15,350
10
8
Abdominal
symptoms
85,960
56
42,980
28
24,560
16
9
Dizziness
84,425
55
52,190
34
16,885
11
TABLE 4 INFORMATION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF RESPONDENTS TOWARDS
COVID 19 PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONARY METHODS
NO
PRECAUTIONARY
YES
%
NO
%
Not SURE
%
1
Hand washing
107,450
70
33,156
21.6
12,894
8.4
2
Use of facemask
90,565
59
44,361.5
28.9
18,574
12.1
3
Exercise
79,820
52
54,492.5
35.5
19,187.5
12.5
4
Use of sanitizers
75,982.5
49.5
51,422.5
33.5
26,095
17
5
Social distancing
82,890
54
39,296
25.6
15,964
10.4
6
Avoiding hand shaking/
hugging
47,431.5
30.9
87,648.5
57.1
18,420
12
7
Avoiding crowded
places
75,215
49
79,513
51.8
14,122
9.2
8
Use of gloves
89,183.5
58.1
53,725
35
10,591.5
6.9
9
Staying at home
85,039
55.4
50,041
32.6
18,420
12
10
Healthy diet/use of hot
fluid, vitamin C
containing food etc
73,680
48
59,251
38.6
20,569
13.4
TABLE 5 INFORMATION ON COVID 19 PRECAUTIONARY METHODS PRACTICE AND CULTURE
NO
PRECAUTIONARY
YES
%
NO
%
Not SURE
%
1
Hand washing
67.540
44
61,707
40.2
24,253
15.8
2
Use of facemask
73,680
48
58,483.5
38.1
21,336.5
13.9
3
Use of gloves
79,820
52
64,623.5
42.1
9,056.5
5.9
4
Use of sanitizers
78,285
51
62,781.5
40.9
12,433.5
8.1
5
Social distancing
81,355
53
46,817.5
30.5
25.327.5
16.5
6
Staying at home
85,960
56
62,321
40.6
5,219
3.4
7
Avoiding nose touching,
mouth, eyes
95,477
62.2
44.208
28.8
13,815
9
8
Avoiding hand shaking
93,635
61
46,050
30
13,815
9
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3530
www.rsisinternational.org
9
Avoiding crowded
places
101,310
66
48,813
31.8
3,377
2.2
10
Exercise avoidance
84,425
55
31,467.5
20.5
39,142.5
25.5
11
Healthy diet intake
87,648.5
57.11
48,966.5
31.9
16.885
11
12
Avoiding Vaccination
Exercise
89,030
58
49,120
32
15,350
10
13
Avoidance of awareness
campaign
98,240
64
41,445
27
13,815
9
1. The sample population believe that effective vaccination of the populace will reduce the effect of
COVID 19 disease coupled with government awareness campaign.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The availability of adequate information and misinformation about COVID 19 pandemic was viewed from
different perspectives, namely basic demography, information knowledge about COVID 19 and the
precautionary methods. The study aimed at describing, attitude, information knowledge and the general
behaviour of the study population toward COVIDS 19 pandemic.
153,500 respondents were involved in this study. The male participant were 77,364 (50.4%) while the female
were 76,136 (49.6%). The enrolled participants majority 50,102 (32.6%) were between the age of 44-56 years
with 4.9% (7,500) participants above 70 years. There were 47,408 individuals in government service, 41,590
(27.1%) in private business, 37,650 (21.3%) as student or unemployed, while 5,952 (3.9%) were peasant
farmers.
On inquiring about the sources of information of covid-19, majority (68.2%) reported they got information
knowledge about corona virus through electronic and print media, (50%) through social media while (55%)
through family members, place of work & friends only.
From table 2, concerning information and misinformation source, it was gathered that 104,687 (68.2%)
agreed that they got their information about COVID 19 through media (electronics & print media), 21,183
(13.8%) disagree while 27,630 (18%) was not sure. 76,750 (50%) said they got their information about
COVID 19 through social media, 64,163 (41.8%) said No, while 14,587 (41.8%) said no, while 14,587 (8.2%)
was not sure. 84,425 (55%) believed they got their information about COVID 19 from, family members, place
of work & friends. 49,581.5 (32.3%) disagree, while 19,494.5 (12.7%) was not sure. 61,400 (40%) was sure
they got their information about COVID 19 from health professionals, 76,750, (50%) said no, while 15,350
(10%) was not sure. This result is compatible with the World Health Organisation (WHO,2020) declaring
information from social media as fake and a challenging phenomenon {Vicol, 2020). This result is also
similar to work by (Ali, 2019) which also witnessed social media as a primary source of COVID 19
information.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3531
www.rsisinternational.org
Table 3; Concerning information knowledge about COVID 19 pandemic signs and symptoms.
76,750 (50%) believe that flu is also a sign of been infected by COVID 19 disease 61,400 said no, while
15,350 (10%) was not sure. 73,680 (48%) affirmed that cough also is a & symptoms of COVID 19 pandemic
64,410 (42%) disgrace while 15,350 (10%) was not sure 84,425 (55%) said yes to sore throat being a
symptoms of COVID 19, 76,750 (50%) said no while 15,350 (10%) was not sure. 92,100 (60%) attributed
difficulty in breathing to sign & symptoms of COVID 19 disease. 46,052 (30%) said no, while 15,350 (10%)
was not sure. 98,240 (64%) said headache was also a sign and symptom of COVID 19, 41,445 (27%)
disagree, while 13,815 (9%) was not sure. 89,030 (58%) said yes that muscle or joint pains are sign of COVID
19 disease 49,120 (32%) disagree while 15,350 was not sure. 85,960 (56%) affirmed that abdominal
symptom’s were sign of COVID 19 pandemic, 42,980 (28%) disagree while 24,560 (16%) was not sure,
84,425 (55%) of the sample population said yes that dizziness is a sign & symptom of COVID 19 disease,
52,190 (34%) said no while 16,885 (11%) was not sure The result of this research was correlated with a
previous study by Rizwan (2020). That was conducted on COVID 19 symptoms, which show a that common
symptom of corona virus is fever.
Table 4; On information on knowledge attitude of respondent towards COVID 19 precautionary methods.
85,039 (55.4%) of respondents believed that hand washing was a good precautionary measure against COVID
19 disease 50,041 (32.6%) disagree (no) while 18,420 (12%), was not sure. 75,215 (49%) of the respondent
population agreed that wearing of facemask as a precautionary method of COVID 19 prevention, 79,513
(51.8%) said no (disagree) while 14,122 (9.2%) was not sure. 79,820 (52%) agreed the use of hand gloves act
as precautionary measure of preventing COVID 19 disease 54,492.5 (32.5) disagree while 19,187.5 (12.5%)
was not sure. 75,982.5 (49.5%) affirmed the use of hand sanitizer as precautionary method, 51,422.5 (33.5%)
said no, while 26,065 (17%) was not sure. 82,890 (54%) agreed to the fact that social distancing as
precautionary method of Covid 19 prevention. 39,296 (25.6%) said no, while 15,964 (10.4%) was not sure.
87,648.5 (54%) said yes that social distance prevent COVID 19 disease, 39,269 (25.6%) said no, while 15,964
(10.4) was not sure. 87,648.5 (57.1%) agreed that hand shaking and hugging avoidance is a precautionary
method against COVID 19 disease. 47,431.5 disagree, while 18,420 (12%) said yes that avoiding crowded
place prevent COVID 19, 44,361.5 (28.9%) said no, while 18,574 (12.1%) was not sure. 89,183.5 (58.1%)
agreed that regular exercise prevent COVID 19 disease, 53,725 (35%) said not, while 10,591.5 (6.9%) was not
sure. 107,450 (70%) said yes that staying at home is a good precautionary method of COVID 19, 33,156
(21.6%) said no, while 12,894 (8.4%) was not sure. 73,680 (48%) agreed that healthy diet/use if hot fluid,
vitamin C is a good precautionary method of COVID 19 disease 59,251 (38.6%) said no, while 20,569
(13.4%) was not sure. Another report by Rizwan (2020) affirm the regular usage of hand sanitizer, hand
washing and masking to mitigate the disease infection, which invariably means increasing of participant to
personal hygiene measures primarily to avoid COVID 19 infection to prove this research work relevant.
Table 5; Information on COVID 19 precautionary method practice and hand washing as a precautionary
method (61,707) (40.2%) is no, while 24,253 (15.8%) was not sure. 73,680 (48%) agreed to the usage of
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3532
www.rsisinternational.org
facemask, 58,483.5) (38.1%) said no, while 21,336.5 (13.9%) was not sure. 79,820 (52%) affirmed to the
usage of hand gloves, 64,623.5 (42.1) said no, while 9,056.5 (5.9%) was not sure 78,285 (51%) said yes, hand
sanitizer gives a hope of prevention of the disease, 62,781.5 said No, while 12,433.5 (8.1%) was not sure.
81,355 (53%) agreed that social distancing as a precautionary method, 46,817.5 (30.5%) said no, while
25,327.5 (16.5%) was not sure 85,960 (56%) affirmed to staying at home, 62,321 (40.6%) said no, while
5,219 (3.4%) was not sure 95,477 (62.2%) agreed to no touching of mouth and nose and eyes, 44,208 28.8%
agreed to touching of mouth eye and nose, while 13,815 (9%) was not sure. 93,635 (61%) affirmed to
avoidance of hand shaking, 46,050 (30%) said no while 13,815 (9%) was not sure. 101,310 (66%) agreed to
crowded place avoidances, 48,813 (31.8%) said no, while 39,142.5 (25.5%) was not sure. 84,425 (55%)
agreed to exercise participation, 31,467.5 (20.5%) said no, while 39,142.5 (25.5%) was not sure. 87,648.5
(57.1%) said yes to healthy diet intake, 48,966.5 (31.9%) disagree, while 16,885 (11%) was not sure. 81,030
(58%) said yes to non-avoidance of vaccination, exercise, 41,120 (32%) disagree, while 15,350 (10%) was not
sure. 98.240 (64%) did not agreed to the avoidance of awareness campaign, 41,445 (27%) agreed while
13,815 (9%) was undecided
On inquiring about the resource majority 68.2% report they got their information from social media, while
50% from print and electronic media and 55% family members, 40% through health professionals. The reason
for social media being the most of available source of information about COVID 19 virus is because people
are more exposed to social media technology and grabs information easily from them. Real and correct
information about COVID 19 virus from health professional takes (40%), which is not enough for the
populace hence they the despondence tend to collect information about corona virus from any available
sources, either the information is correct or not.
On information knowledge about COVID 19 symptoms, most of the participant (64%) reported fever as a
symptom of corona virus infection, 60% though about difficulty in breathing, 58% about muscle and joint
pain, 56% about abdominal symptoms, sore throat and dizziness got 55%, 50% about cough, 48% said flu,
and 40% believe in head ache in table 3. My result was correlated with a previous study conducted, which
shows that the most common symptoms of corona virus is fever 98,240 (64%), which is still not appreciable
compare to the % that disagreed, which invariable depict low knowledge about information about COVID 19.
The result agrees with Onyemekonwu and Meludu, (2022) who reported that there are some levels of
community awareness regarding the symptoms of Covid-19. Majority of the participants (70%) of my study
consider information about practicing hand washing as a precautionary measure, 59% reported that the usage
of facemask as a protective measure was learnt from information available, 58.1 said they wear hand gloves as
a preventive measure to corona virus inversion. 57.1 agreed on avoiding hand shaking as a preventive measure
to combat COVID 19, About not using sanitizers, participants shared different views like unavailability or
lack of it or as an extra expenses, hence 49.5% of the participant agreed to it. 54% of the participant believe
that social distancing could benefit much when practiced, 49% were practicing staying home, while majority
was saying that for job or other tasks they cannot stay home. 30.9% were practicing hugging/hand shaking,
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3533
www.rsisinternational.org
while majority is of the view that it is not their tradition and they are not habitual to such practice, and that it
should be best avoided. 62.2% individuals shared their concern about touching nose, eyes and mouth, a lesser
number of participants 28.8% shaved carelessness about touching mouth, nose % eyes. A lesser number of
participants 30% showed exercised avoidance while a large figure 55% considered it as a health important.
57.1% participants were practically using healthy diet as a protective measure against corona virus infection,
they reported that they are aware of the facts that intake of vitamin C, and frequent use of fluid can help fight
against COVID 19. In result of a past study similar to this study, showed 85% participants reported positive
behaviour towards hand washing as an effective way to prevent corona virus infection, 70% use of facemask
usage and 67% considered wearing gloves to be a preventive strategy. Another report affirms the regular
usage of usage of hand sanitizer, hand washing & masking which invariable mean increasing concern of
participant to personal hygiene measure primarily to avoid COVID 19 infection. 58% majority of participants
reject vaccination, said it is a ploy by the authority to make them a “zombie” or die in few years time to
reduce the world population and 64% of the sample size also affirm the avoidance of awareness campaign
most especially when the campaigner’s are mostly woman, men seems to hold up to the ego and in certain
culture it is unheard of mean to allow women to lead them. This is reflected in their behaviour and altitude
significantly as most of the participant agreed with misinformation on COVID 19 pandemic represented one
of the biggest challenges to global health. This study found that exposure to misinformation was negatively
associated with information insufficiency, it is important to note that exposure to misinformation reduces
current information knowledge, which results to lower information insufficiency. This agrees with WHO
(2020) that several misconception influence the spread of Covid-19. Information insufficiency serve as a
significant mediator of the relationship between misinformation exposure and information avoidance. It is
evidence important to reduce exposure to incorrect information and to deliver evidence based health
advisories. To this end government authorities should regularly monitor and clarify emerging information on
various social media platforms to prevent public misperception and engagement in fake disease remedy or
scenically unproven measure. Because misinformation during the current pandemic has raised many issued of
concern regarding public health.
SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS
From the above findings it was observed that; information about COVID 19 was inadequate for the sample
population
1. Majority of the sample population, especially between age 31-69, opined that COVID 19 prevention
protocol intervenes with their cultural belief system.
2. The majority of the sample population understands the signs & symptoms of COVID 19 and its
community transmission from person to person.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3534
www.rsisinternational.org
CONCLUSION
The study depicts inadequate information on knowledge, negative attitude and behavior towards the
prevention of corona virus, finding of this study suggests the adherence of COVID-19 prevention protocol be
encouraged particularly among the vulnerable population, who may be at risk of contacting COVID-19
diseases. Pandemic education should be targeted at young and old people for the common good of the
community knowledge of transmission and preventive measures should be improved in the general
population.
The study highlights that the importance of preventive protocol of COVID-19 procedures would help to
control negative belief and perception associated with control measures against COVID-19 pandemic. The
crux of the study acknowledge that behavior, knowledge and practice about corona virus pandemic infection
and prevention was found to be inadequate and unsatisfactory, hence it is urgent to strengthen community
education on the symptoms and mode of transmission of corona virus infection in Delta State.
RECOMMENDATION
It is necessary to minimize exposure, incorrect information and to deliver evidence health based advisories.
To this end, risk communicators and government authorities should continuously monitor and clarify
emerging misinformation on various platform to prevent misperception and engagement in fake remedies. In
regard, accuracy nudges should be top priority for the media platform to counter the role of misinformation
during the current pandemic positively. The researcher recommends improved global healthcare policies and
strategies to counteract misinformation to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. To counteract against the
impacts of misinformation, it is essential to;
REFERENCE
1. Baumeister, H. (2019).Novel Corona virus. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Science, 23(3),
6. https://doi.org/10..5281/zenodo.1477753
2. Chan, K.,Luo, Y., Hu, A., Zhang L., and Zjae J. (2021). Characteristics of Misinformation Spreading
on Social Media during the COVID 19 Outbreak in China a Descriptive Analysis.
https/dae.org/102147/RMHPS312327.
3. Noemi Anja Brog, Julia Katharina Hegy, Thomas Berger & Hansjörg Znoj (2021) .An internet-based
self-help intervention for people with psychological distress due to COVID-19: study protocol for a
randomized controlled trial. Trials, 22: 171.
https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-021-05089-9
4. Rizwan, T. (2020). Knowledge, Behavior and Practices of General Public Towards COVID 19 - a
Study from Islamabad: Journal of Global Bioethics Enquiry 8(2).
5. Onyemekihian, F., Onyemekonwu, R. C. and Chisonum, M. (2022). Economic feasibility of private
extension among small scale cassava farmers in Edo and Delta state, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of
Agriculture and Agricultural Technology 8 (2) 138-144.
6. Onyemekonwu, R. C. and Meludu, N. T. (2022). Enhancing Capacity of Agricultural Extension
Officers for Sustainable Community in Post Covid-19. (In Anyogu, F. A., Eme, C. A. and
Ogbodo, J. A. Eds), Attaining Sustainable Development Goals in Families, Companies and
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue IX September 2025
Page 3535
www.rsisinternational.org
Communities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Book Series on Sustainable Development. Boldscholar
Research Ltd, www.boldscholar.com. Pp 168 – 179
7. Onyemekonwu, R.C., Onemolease, E.A. and Ehiwario, F.A. (2019). Production Performance and
Constraints Associated With Watermelon Farming in Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and
Food Environment 6(1): 60-72
8. WHO. (2020).Corona virus Disease (2019). A & A Practice,
14(6),e011218;https://doi.org/10.1213/xàa.0000000000001218