ABSTRACT
It is now almost eighteen months since the World Health Organization declared the novel coroavirus disease outbreak a global pandemic. Amon the preventive measures recommend by health authorities to mitigate the spread of the deadly virus, testing occupies a pivotal position. As of 21 May 2021, a total of 56,163 COVID-19 tests have been done in Benin City since February last year. Nationwide, within the same period, a cumulative of 2,150,581 tests, comprising PCR (88%) and RDT 12%), have been done.
This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and uptake of of COVID-19 testing among civil servants in Benin City, Edo State. It is a cross-sectional study that used the multi-stage sampling method to collect data. The data was analyzed with SPSS and the results were presented in tables, charts and prose.
A total of four hundred and twenty civil servants took part in the study. The results showed that civil servants in Benin City had poor knowledge (45 5%) of COVID-19 testing, positive attitude (69.0%) towards COVID-19 testing, and satisfactory uptake level (78.9%) among those who were offered, or required to do, COVID-19 tests. Knowledge of COVID-19 testing had a significant influence on attitude towards, and uptake, the tests.
There is, therefore, need for continuous dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information on all aspects of coronavirus preventive measures, particularly testing, so as to effectively limit the spread of the pandemic in Benin City in particular and the nation at large.
