Project Materials

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FREQUENT HAND WASHING IN REDUCING THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID 19) IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE)

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection caused by a novel virus. The coronavirus disease was first discovered in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to over 70 nations worldwide. The disease is known to cause respiratory sickness (similar to the flu), with symptoms including coughing, fever, exhaustion, and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing and death.

There has been much discussion about its prevention, with most health practitioners recommending frequent hand washing with clean running water, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact (1 metre or 3 feet) with sick persons.

Since the first case of this virus in Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has outlined some safety measures to prevent its transmission and, eventually, eradicate the virus completely.

Some of the safety measures are also in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations for dealing with the deadly virus.

A recent study in Nigeria revealed the exponential growth of this fatal illness, prompting the various governments in Nigeria to lock down activities and limit gatherings of more than 20 people.

In all other cases, available evidence suggests that the coronavirus (COVID 19) is spread through close contact via respiratory droplets (such as coughing or sneezing) and fomites. When a COVID-19 patient coughs or exhales, droplets of the virus can enter another person’s nose, mouth, or eyes.

Alternatively, because the droplets are too heavy to be airborne, they fall on objects and surfaces around the individual. Other people acquire infected with the COVID-19 Virus after contacting contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Furthermore, the ensuing global shutdown of activity to enforce social separation has had a detrimental impact on the Nigerian economy as a result of the steep reduction in crude oil prices.

As a result, WHO continues to suggest that everyone practise frequent hand hygiene, adhere to respiratory etiquette guidelines, and clean and disinfect surfaces on a regular basis.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also emphasises the significance of maintaining physical distances and avoiding those who have fever or respiratory symptoms. These preventive actions will help to decrease viral transmission.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The outbreak of the COVID 19 Virus in Nigeria has resulted in several casualties, as well as a partial shutdown of economic activities because almost all states have closed their borders, preventing the free movement of people and goods, which has helped to stimulate the economy over time.

The atrial shutdown, as a result of its exponential spread, has caused people to stay indoors, social events to decline, and businesses to suffer.

All of this has occurred as a result of the deadly virus that has continued to plague the planet, with China, Spain, Italy, and the United States of America being recognised as epicentres due to the large mortality documented in these nations.

The disruption of global pace caused by this virus has also had a detrimental impact on crude oil prices, further affecting our mono-economy.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of social distance and frequent hand washing in decreasing the transmission of the coronavirus (covid-19) in Nigeria. Specific aims include:

i. Investigate the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak on Nigerians’ social lives.

ii. To investigate how social separation and frequent hand washing affect COVID 19 viral control.

iii. To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy.

iii. Investigate the link between correct and adequate sensitisation and the transmission of the COVID-19 virus in Nigeria.

iii. To suggest other methods of decreasing the transmission of the COVID-19 Virus in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.

i. How has the spread of the Corona (COVID-19) virus impacted Nigerians’ social lives?

ii. How effective are social distancing and frequent hand washing in controlling the COVID-19 virus?

iii. What effect does COVID-19 have on Nigeria’s economy?

iv. What is the relationship between proper and adequate sensitization and the propagation of the COVID 19 Virus in Nigeria?

v. What are the other strategies of decreasing the spread of COVID 19 Virus in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Hypothesis I

H0: The Corona (COVID-19) virus outbreak has had no substantial influence on Nigerians’ social lives.

H1: The epidemic of Corona (COVID 19) virus has had a tremendous influence on Nigerians’ social lives.

Hypothesis II.

H0: Social distance and frequent hand washing had no substantial impact on COVID-I9 virus control in Nigeria.

H1: Social distance and frequent hand washing have a considerable impact on COVID-I9 virus control in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This research will be extremely beneficial in containing and eventually eradicating this deadly virus in Nigeria. The findings of this study would also be useful in addressing future outbreaks of this type of sickness in Nigeria.

This study would also benefit scholars, researchers, and students who want to conduct additional research on the subject.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study examines the impact of social distancing and frequent hand washing in reducing the spread of the Corna (COVID-19) virus in Nigeria, with Lagos state as a case study.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

Financial constraints: Insufficient funds tend to restrict the researcher’s efficiency in accessing relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in data collecting (internet, questionnaire, and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will conduct this investigation alongside other academic activities. This will reduce the amount of time spent on research.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures used to prevent the spread of a contagious disease by keeping people physically apart and limiting the number of times they come into close contact with one another.

Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, is the process of cleaning one’s hands to remove dirt, grease, microorganisms, and other unwanted substances.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus.