Factors Influencing Willingness to Comply with Public Health Measures for COVID-19 among Incoming air Travelers into Nigeria from high-risk Countries: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background: Complying with guidelines established to control COVID-19 pandemic is critical to the successful outcome of the response. We assessed the willingness of non-symptomatic incoming international air travelers into Nigeria to comply with COVID-19 public health measures upon arrival and identified the factors influencing them- March 2020.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 500 incoming international air travelers involving 17 nationals across four major international airports in Nigeria using a pre-tested self-administered electronic questionnaire. We estimated the proportions and determined predictors of participants’ willingness to comply with the COVID-19 preventive measures. Predictors were examined using multiple logistic regression at 5% level of significance.

Results: Majority (83%) were extremely/very willing to comply with public health guidelines. Perception of severity was a significant predictor of their willingness to stay at home for 14 days upon arrival (AOR: 6.82, 95 CI%: 1.19-24.45). Self -efficacy towards observing self for COVID-19 symptoms was a significant predictor of willingness to stay at home for 14 days (AOR: 9.37, 95% CI: 3.38-25.97), willingness to observe self for symptoms (AOR: 5.16, 95% CI 1.77-14.93), and willingness to call of national COVID-19 numbers if symptoms develop (AOR: 4.47, 95% CI: 1.19-16.81). Good pre-arrival COVID-19 preventive practices was a significant predictor of willingness to avoid contact with others within the first 14 days on arrival.

Conclusion: There is a need to improve risk communication interventions against COVID-19 for international air travelers particularly enhancing self-efficacy to improve their compliance towards public health measures