Risk perception and impacts of non-conventional medicine on COVID-19 in West-Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly across the world and caused
several economic, social, and demographic impacts. However, there were
strong geographical disparities in these impacts of the disease risk
perception. To control this pandemic, protective measures such as the use
of non-conventional medicine was widespread in West-Africa. Nevertheless,
little is known about its impact on risk perception.  To assess
the impacts of socio-demographic factors and the use of non-conventional
medicines on COVID-19 risk perception in West Africa, this study
interviewed people in 4 West African countries (Benin, Togo, Ghana, and
Côte d’Ivoire). An online quantitative survey was conducted over 5 weeks
period from 25 August to 2 October 2023 using Google form. Participants
over 18 years old were eligible to participate. This online survey was
supplemented by an in-person survey in the same countries to ensure
inclusivity. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics,
risk perception, affective attitude, use and effectiveness of
non-conventional medicine, and various risk predictors. In total, 688
participants were recruited (online and in-person survey) with 79 excluded
because they did not belong to the eligible countries. This data thus
contains of the above information for 609 participants including 360
(59.11%) from the in-person survey. Among the 609 respondents, 171
(28.08%) were from Benin, 200 (32.84 %) from Côte d’Ivoire, 152 (24.96 %)
from Togo and 86 (14.12 %) from Ghana.