Predictors of health risk behaviors during COVID-19 outbreak among educated Nigerians: Public health implications for curbing viral outbreaks in Nigeria

Abstract

Education has been shown to promote engagement in preventive health behaviors, such as health-seeking and other protective behaviors against diseases. As exploratory research, this study aimed to identify the key factors influencing health behaviors of educated Nigerians and illuminate how these behaviors manifested during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nigerian men and women (N = 369) aged 18 to 76 years (M = 34.02; SD = 7.59) responded to a survey administered using a Qualtrics link. Participants were assessed on social determinants of health, health risk behaviors during the coronavirus viral outbreak, confidence in government health policies, and demographic characteristics. Results revealed that beyond education and individual actions, socioeconomic status, gender, and social determinants of health are key predictors of health behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. This study adds to the body of knowledge on the wide-ranging negative association of gender, social determinants, and socioeconomic status with health-risk behaviors among Nigerians.