GENDER ANALYSIS OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES ABOUT COVID-19 PREVENTIVE MEASURES: COMPARATIVE EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA AND BOTSWANA

Abstract

In the face of deadly pandemic, many sub-Saharan African farming households appear to be nonchalant about COVID- 19 preventive measures. Gender analysis vis-à-vis knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of COVID-19 preventive measures was carried out among the Nigerian and Botswana farming households using a pre-tested interview schedule to source information from 360 respondents. Mean age of the Nigerian household heads was 29.42 years and that of Botswana was 33.97 years. Nigerian mean household size was 7.32 and their Botswana counterparts was 4. 06. Respondents from the two countries had unfavourabe attitudes with Grand Weighted Mean Score (GWMS) < 2 towards COVID-19 preventive measures. Also, there is generally high knowledge of COVID-19 preventive measures (GWMS >1.5) with proportionate level of practices across countries and gender. There exists no significant difference between gender and KAP in Nigeria and Botswana. Attitudinal change and continuous enlightenment are imperatives among farming households, focusing on both genders, for improved compliance with the COVID-19 preventive measures.