Abstract:

The risk of contracting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill increases with age. This study assessed perception and prevention practices relating to COVID 19 infection among the elderly in Ogun State. This study adopted a survey design. One hundred and seventy-five participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority 142(81.9%) of the participants perceived themselves to be susceptible to COVID-19 infection, with 25(14.3%) perceiving it to be a serious disease. Less than a quarter 40(22.9) of the participants perceived COVID 19 prevention to be highly beneficial while most 115(65.7%) of the participants reported that their levels of barriers to prevention of COVID-19 were high. More than half of 95(54.3%) of the participants had low preventive practices for COVID-19. Participants’ perceived susceptibility to COVID 19 was negatively correlated with their prevention practices (r = -0.15; p = 0.04). In conclusion, the participants had a poor perception of COVID 19 infection and low prevention practices. It is recommended that COVID-19 awareness campaigns should focus on raising more awareness of the risks associated with the COVID 19 infection to make the elderly engage more in preventive behaviours.