CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

Coronavirus (COVID-19) are positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses and its diameters is 60 nm to140 nm with spike like projection on it’s around which giving it a crown like appearance. Their viral is RNA genomic and their ranges from 26 to 32 kilobases in length. COVID-19 belongs to the Nidovirales order which includes Roniviridae, Arteriviridae, and Coronaviridae families. The Coronviridae family is subdivided into Torovirinae and Coronavirinae subfamilies. Coronavirinae is further sub classified into alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Phylogenetic clustering accounts from the classification of these subtypes of viruses. It can be isolated from different animal species. In 1960 first case of coronavirus was notified and Canadian study in 2001 was identified approximately 500 patients as Flu-like system in which 17 to 18 cases were confirmed as infected with Coronavirus by polymerase chain reaction. These include livestock, birds, and mammals such as bats, camels, masked palm civets, dogs, mice, and cats. In 2003, various reports were published the spreading of Coronavirus in many countries such as Hong Kong, United States America, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and their several case of severe acute respiratory syndrome which caused by Coronavirus and their mortally was more than 1000 patient. Another study report in Hong Kong was confirmed 50 patients are suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome while 30 of them were confirmed as Coronavirus infected. In Wuhan (China) late December 2019 a case unidentified pneumonia was reported by Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China (PRC) their clinical characteristics were very similar to those of viral pneumonia. After analysis on respiratory samples the Centre for Disease Control expert declared that the pneumonia, later known as novel virus and officially named the disease COVID-19 was declared by World Health Organization (WHO). The initial cases had a common exposure to the Huanan wholesale seafood market that also traded live animals. On December 31st 2019, China notified the outbreak to the WHO and on 1st January the Huanan sea food market was closed. For identification of this disease different sample from Huanan sea food market also tested, signifying that the virus originated from there. The number of cases started increasing exponentially, some of which did not have exposure to the live animal market, suggestive of the fact that human-to-human transmission was occurring.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Coronavirus disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Rural dwellers in West Africa are at risk of coronavirus because of proximity to animal reservoir, open construction of African villages, the practice of drying grains by road sides or outside homes and unprotected grain storage within homes. All these factors are known to facilitate increased rodent-man contact or contamination of food sources by infected rodent secretions.

For a highly contagious disease with symptoms and signs that are similar to other endemic diseases, the creation of awareness amongst community members is very important in endemic areas. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. 

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.

This study therefore, set out to empirically investigate into the causes and prevention of Covid-19 in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. Information gathered from this study will serve as a basis for enlightenment of the school and community on the causes, modes of transmission and more importantly, prevention of the disease.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to empirically investigate into the causes and prevention of coronavirus (Corvid-19) in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education. Specifically, this study therefore, sought to:

• Determine the awareness of coronavirus in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.

• Find out the knowledge of transmission, risk factors and symptoms of Covid-19 in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.

• Examine the preventive measures against coronavirus in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.

1.4 Research Questions

The study attempt to answer the following research questions

• What is the level of awareness of coronavirus in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri?

• What is the level of knowledge of transmission, risk factors and symptoms of Covid-19 in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri?

• What are the preventive measures against coronavirus in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis was formulated for this study:

Ho: There is no significant awareness of the causes and preventives measures of Covid-19 in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study seeks to empirically investigate into the causes and prevention of coronavirus (Corvid-19) among Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. It is therefore delimited to students and staff of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.

1.7 Significance of The Study

The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways.  COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment. People who have underlying medical conditions and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe disease and death.

This study will impact the knowledge of causes, transmission, risk factors, symptoms and prevention of coronavirus among students and school heads and the factors associated with knowledge of coronavirus.

1.8 Organization of the Study

To achieve the purpose of this research. The study is divided into five inter-connected chapters, ranging from chapter one to five.

In this chapter one the researcher has been able to give an introduction to the work, state the problem that necessitate this study, outline the questions and hypothesis this work seeks to answer and test as well as the objectives it hopes to achieve. The scope and significance of this study were outlined as well.

Chapter two deals with review of related literatures and empirical review. Chapter three discuss the research methodology ranging from research design, study area, sample and sampling technique, sources of data, data collection technique, questionnaire administration and method of data analysis. Chapter four delves into the data presentation, analysis and interpretation. while chapter five deals with the summary, conclusions and recommendations.

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