Chapter 6

Artisans’ Disposition and Adherence to

Preventive Measures of Coronavirus
Disease in Osun State, Nigeria
Musediq Olufemi Lawal,a Alidu Olatunji Kareem,b
and Dominic Olamilekan Adebayo

Abstract
Within relatively short time since its emergence, COVID-19 pandemic has
attracted impressive academic attention. This chapter in its modest com-
plement of existing studies focused on artisans’ disposition and adherence to
preventive measures of coronavirus disease in Osun State, Nigeria. The
participants according to its findings demonstrated their knowledge of public
health advice for controlling COVID-19 such as maintaining social
distancing, using face masks in public spaces and adhering to personal
hygiene measures. It further revealed that these artisans sourced for
‘perceived’ alternatives public health measures that their financial situation
could accommodate and violated the strict lockdown regulations introduced
by the government due to inherent economic rewards from going to their
places of works. These thus exposed the poor investment profiles of most
African nations as well as unhealthy institutional capacity, which cannot
carry people along with government policies. A situation of this nature will
have untoward effects on social fabric of the society and overall develop-
mental processes.

Keywords: Artisans; health; lockdown; disease; coronavirus pandemic;

preventive measures

a
ORCID: 0000-0002-3667-2533
b
ORCID: 0000-0003-3046-0166

COVID-19 in the African Continent, 95–107

Copyright © 2022 by Emerald Publishing Limited
All rights of reproduction in any form reserved
doi:10.1108/978-1-80117-686-620221009
96 Musediq Olufemi Lawal et al.

Introduction
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the syndrome occasioned by the severe acute
respiratory syndrome. This pandemic was named as ‘Corona Virus Disease 2019’
(2019-nCoV) by World Health Organisation (WHO) and declared a Public
Health Emergency of International Concern (Anthony & Stanley, 2020; Lu,
Stratton, & Tang, 2020; Rajendran et al., 2020; Rismanbaf, 2020). In early 2020,
after a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organisation
identified SARS-CoV-2 as a new type of coronavirus. It is clustered under the
viral family group that causes disease in mammals and birds (Rajendran et al.,
2020). It can affect human upper respiratory tract or lower respiratory tract (Jin,
2020). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was announced on 27
February 2020, when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive for the virus. Six
months later, a total of 20,730,456 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including
751,154 deaths were reported by WHO (2020). Individuals experiencing symp-
toms like (1) trouble breathing or shortness of breath, (2) ongoing chest pain or
pressure and (3) inability to wake up fully are enjoined to get medical help right
away. Preventive measures to curtail its spread as disseminated through mass
media included (1) washing hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based
sanitiser, (2) keeping social distancing through staying at home or maintaining at
least 6 feet away from others during public engagement, (3) Covering of nose and
mouth in public to complement keeping a 6-foot distance, (4) avoiding touching
the face because coronaviruses can live on surfaces touched for several hours, (5)
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces touched often, like tables, doorknobs, light
switches, toilets, faucets and sinks.

Research and Socio-Economic Issue

COVID-19 is impacting on social mobility and currently sparking fears of an
impending economic crisis and recession globally. Preventive measures like social
distancing, self-isolation and travel restrictions are leading to a reduced workforce
across all economic sectors. With series of restrictions and the attendant conse-
quences, everybody is eager for the eradication of this pandemic. Meanwhile,
eradication of COVID-19 pandemic was premised on prevention and adherence
to laid down measures only in order to discourage its spread. Still, some segments
of the society still operate without recourse to preventive measures thereby
showing the likelihood of the pandemic to continue its havocs for as long as
possible. In view of this, the chapter examines the adherence of artisans to pre-
ventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
As parts of its objectives, this chapter enumerated the knowledge of COVID-19,
the preventive measure adopted and attendant health effects. Factors influencing
the current state of adherence to the existing preventive measures of COVID-19,
the socio-psychological effects of possible fear of vulnerability to COVID-19,
COVID-19 Management Strategies, Economic Well-being and Perceived Vulner-
ability and possible challenges being faced in the course of this were examined.
 Artisans’ Disposition of Coronavirus 97

Protection Motivation Theory

The protection motivation theory (PMT) was adopted for the analysis of this
study. The theory was first introduced by Rogers (1975) who proposed a con-
ceptual framework for explaining factors that predict risk-preventative behav-
iours. The theory is primarily applied to explain people’s decisions to partake in
health risk mitigation behaviours and disaster prevention (Kelly & Barker, 2016).
The thesis of this theory is that people balance different risks and potential
benefits. That is, individuals’ decision to participate in risk-preventative behav-
iours is always a product of motivation to protect themselves from threats.
Typical of such threat is the ravaging COVID-19. The outcome of threat and
coping appraisals (which according to Janmaimool (2017) includes self-efficacy
and response efficacy) determines the decision thus made. Self-efficacy, on the
other hand, is an individual’s perception of their capability to perform the
behaviours. Individuals make use of cognitive process during threat appraisal to
estimate the level of threat. Within this backdrop, it is expected that perceptions
of vulnerability, severity and the reward will motivate artisans to perform
adaptive responses. That higher perception of severity and vulnerability of
COVID-19 is likely to enhance their motivation to adhere to preventive measures.

Methodology
This study made use of In-depth and Key Informant interviews and observation
as its key data-gathering instruments. The participants in this study were selected
at their workshops/sites of operation. Instant interviews were sought and con-
ducted where possible with these artisans including those met in places other than
their workshops/sites of operation (accidental sampling). Where it was not
possible to get immediate responses from the prospective respondents met in this
instance, appointments were sought and secured with them for interview in their
preferred places. The choice of this group of people was premised on the infor-
mation about their active work life during the governments’ imposed lockdown.
At the end, 48 artisans were engaged in the in-depth interview (IDI) sessions.
These included those classified into (1) Automobile Services (Panel Beater,
Automobile spray painter, Auto Electrical Technician (Rewire), Hydraulics
Motor mechanic, Diesel Engine Mechanic, Petrol Engine mechanic, Mechanical
fitters and Vulcaniser and those in (2) Housing Construction services (Builder/
Mason, Plumber, Carpenter, Tile fitters and House Painters). Others engaged as
Key Informant Interview (KII) participants included, six members of COVID-19
Task Force in Osun State, two Marketing Consultants (whose expertise were
sought on peculiarities of artisans) and two members of Security Patrol Teams
from each of the three Senatorial Districts in the State. A total number of 62
participants thus made up the population engaged in this study.
98 Musediq Olufemi Lawal et al.

Artisans in Socio-Economic Development

The artisans are the segment of the society whose preoccupation is to provide services
that are needed for everyday activities in their communities as there were no factories
or shops around. Artisans are important personalities in socio-economic development
of every society. They are seen as that segment of the society that creates population of
productive manpower and ability of that manpower to reproduce itself for sustainable
indigenous economy. They were noted as belonging to the group of people whose
trade has no geographical boundary. They have high mobility and fluidity of
movement across communities and states.
The artisans like every other operator of the informal economic sector
significantly impact on national economies through foreign exchange earnings,
employment creation, low per capita investment, high value addition and sus-
tainable economic growth (Areo, Gershon, & Osabuohien, 2020; Bano, 2016;
Karakara & Osabuohien, 2020). The artisans provide medium of exchange and
enabling the poor with employment opportunities. They play significant roles in
mobilising entrepreneurial initiative and autonomy; provide affordable goods and
services and contribute to poverty reduction (KII/Female/Marketing Consultant/
Osogbo).

Artisans’ Knowledge of Coronavirus Disease

It was affirmed that officials from the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders
within medical professions have reached out to them at their place of works and
religious gatherings. The artisans’ description of coronavirus affirmed their
knowledge of the disease. In the words of one of them, ‘coronavirus is often called
COVID-19’. It has symptoms that range from fever and cough (IDI/Male/Panel
Beater/Agunbelewo, Osogbo). The participants learnt that coronavirus spread
from person to person. In the words of one of them, the complications from the
disease were more pronounced in patients with underlying health conditions such
as hypertension, diabetes as well as the infants and the elderly (IDI/Male/Diesel
Mechanic/Naira and Kobo Area, Ikire). Another participant described corona-
virus as a kind of common virus that causes an infection in the nose and throat,
fever, tiredness, cough, body aches, mucus etc (IDI/Male/Carpenter/Irojo, Ilesa).
In the words of one of the artisans, one thing I could remember was the need
not to use a face mask meant for healthcare workers; that we should not put a face
covering on anyone who is under two years old (IDI/Male/Vulcaniser, Moore
area, Ile-Ife). Another participant stressed that everybody is expected not to touch
his or her face in this period of coronavirus pandemic because the disease we were
told can live on surfaces touched for several hours. It is believed that if the viruses
get on one’s hands and one touch the eyes, nose or mouth, the viruses can get into
one’s body (IDI/Male/Plumber, Eweta, Ikirun). In addition to this, an artisan
highlighted cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light
switches, toilets and sinks on regular basis as other preventive steps for controlling
of COVID-19. Equally noted as parts of preventive measures included cleaning of
one’s hands first with soap and water as well as disinfect surfaces touched often,
 Artisans’ Disposition of Coronavirus 99

keeping rooms well-ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands and

coughing into a bent elbow or tissue paper (IDI/Male/Carpenter/Gbongan).
A participant became aware of phenomenon called coronavirus through dis-
cussions on the mass media, which included the radio and television. According to
him, nobody took the matter serious when the first case was reported in Lagos
until report of spiralling rate of its spread (IDI/Male/Bricklayer/Aga area, Ido-
Osun). Outdoor billboards advertisement that depicted ‘a roundish symbol with
fearful structures attached all over its body’ reinforced the dreadfulness of the
disease into the mind of everybody, especially the children. The structure domi-
nated the mass media throughout the heightened period of COVID-19. The
animated sensitisation cartoons that my children usually watched equally served
as the medium of awareness creation as well as enlightenment on the existence of
this pandemic. Everybody (including myself) was eventually coerced into appre-
ciating the existence of this virus (IDI/Male/Floor Tile Fitter/Opa, Ile-Ife).

Artisans’ Positions on Existence of Coronavirus Disease

Many of the artisans involved as the participants in this study expressed their
belief in the existence of coronavirus as a pandemic. They however expressed their
reservation on the magnitude of its havoc as being depicted through the mass
media and public health discussions. In the narrative of one of the participants,
how do they want us to know that the figures being released on daily basis were
not doctored? With reports showing that people in Oyo State milled around as if
everything was normal, that people do not even showed sign or bothered about
the possibility of being infected, where do we get our own (Osun State) number of
infections? With proximity of the two states and the rate at which people sneaked
in and out of Osun State to Oyo State, it is expected that the number of infections
in Oyo State should be terrifying (IDI/Male/Panel Beater/Adeeke, Iwo).
Another misgiving raised was the claim that coronavirus ‘has no cure’ yet
people that were claimed to have been admitted into isolation centres and released
after few weeks having purported positive health certification. In the perspective
of the artisans, the scenario did not portray the entire issues as worthy of being
relied on. According to their posers, how did they get healed if there is no
medicine to take care of those infected then? I just decided to move on with my
life because we are used to being cheated in the country. At every opportunity,
people usually engage in smart practices to reap the society of what should be of
benefit to everyone (IDI/Male/Hydraulic Motor Mechanic/Owode-Ede).
Fear of stigmatisation do prevent people to have simple cough in the public.
Symptoms like irrational cough, persistent headache, high temperature and so on
are tagged as COVID-19 induced. Another participant viewed the whole matter
from adequacy of resources for the management of the pandemic. In his words, in
a country where no sign of commitment from the government to combat the
menace of the pandemic, will such person not going to develop high blood
pressure (IDI/Male/Vulcaniser/Ifon-Orolu).
100 Musediq Olufemi Lawal et al.

Disposition to and Adoption of Preventive Measures against

Coronavirus Disease
Information emanating from different quarters invariably pointed at need for
behavioural change; man, by his nature, always put on resistance when it comes
to this. Such resistance comes with lots of argument and perspectives that are in
variance to vision and missions of the stakeholders in COVID-19 management. A
typical of this was related by an artisan thus, we were informed on the steps to
take to prevent the spread of coronavirus. One of which included washing of
hands very often with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based
sanitiser in order to kill viruses in our hands. To me, this will bring lots of
inconvenience going by the peculiarities of my profession (IDI/Male/Panel Beater/
Okinni, Osogbo).
Another submission from a participant revealed that if one needs to go out,
one should stay at least 6 feet away from others. It is interesting but impracticable
in a country in Nigeria where governments do not care about the socioeconomic
well-being of its citizenry (IDI/Male/Auto Electrical Technician (Rewire)/Ijebu-
Jesa). Lending credence to this, a participant noted, we were informed that if one
has COVID-19, one can spread it even if such a person doesn’t feel sick. In spite
of the constant reminder the realities of socio-economic consequence of this could
not permit adherence to it (IDI/Male/Automobile Mechanic/Irojo, Ilesa).
One of the participants commented on travelling restriction during the lock-
down. According to him, this order was difficult to follow because the nature of
our job (bricklaying/mason) is payment by work. During the lockdown we
navigated our ways to breach the security checkpoints to travel to the neigh-
bouring state, specifically Oyo State. Without this, the family would suffer
untoward hardships (IDI/Male/Automobile Mechanic/Adeeke, Iwo). Further
submission revealed that activities of the security agents during the period were
heavily concentrated to the cities and big towns. We make use of the suburbs for
effective transiting around the States. It was easier to move to the suburbs of
Kwara State like Oro and Omu Aran (IDI/Male/Floor Tile Fitter/Ila-Orangun).

Adherence to Preventive Measures of COVID-19

Governments and stakeholders mandated every house and public outfit (that are
providing essential services) to set a place aside for handwashing activities. It was
only within the workshops of artisans involved in automobile services provision
that this provision was seen. Even those involved are very few compared to the
number of such workshops visited. It was observed that people hardly make use
of handwashing facilities. The rate at which people trickle out of their houses is
higher in the evening when compared to other time of the day. Movement of
vehicle was sparse; however, the number of people trekking around was heavier
than usual. Some people within the workshops of automobile service were seen
using face mask who were the masters of the artisanal units within the workshop.
The face masks were improvised; some of the face mask showed signs of long
 Artisans’ Disposition of Coronavirus 101

usage and poor state of hygiene. Few of the face masks were placed in awkward
position that signifying their usage just for the sake of it and not really to prevent
COVID-19.
The artisans that are working at the construction sites did not put on any face
mask neither was provision made for handwashing at the site. Some clients on
their own do come to the construction sites with their face masks as well as bottles
of hand sanitisers. There are clients that neither put on the face masks nor made
use of hand sanitisers. It was noted that those who complied with preventive
measures against coronavirus pandemic were the elites and financially solvent
individuals.

Factors Influencing Adherence to the Existing Preventive

Measures of COVID-19
The artisans’ behavioural approaches to preventive measures of COVID-19 cut
across the factors like economic, healthcare enlightenment, availability of sig-
nificant others (such medical professionals and medically enlightened family
members and friends), concrete evidence about the victims of COVID-19, loss of
hope and the expectation for the worst from COVID-19, conflicting nature of the
authenticity of information obtained and outright loss of confidence in Govern-
ment directives. In one of the submissions on this, an artisan said, though we
intend to follow the laid down measures to prevent contracting coronavirus but
how do you expect us to cope? We are self-employed. Before the incursion of this
pandemic, we seldom get reasonable patronage from our customers. The
instruction or should we call it advice to stay at home seems inviting but not
worthy of being followed because starvation will kill the entire household. My
wife, children and others that are depending on my meagre income for survival
where will they run to? Based on this, the best option will be to tread it softly by
applying wisdom while disregarding the lockdown in order to seek the means of
daily livelihood (IDI/Male/Automobile Spray Painter/Kelebe, Osogbo).
An artisan acknowledged that coronavirus scourge is real while substantiating
this. According to him, we even see what was happening in Western world on the
television; however, staying at with nothing on ground to take care of the family is
suicidal. In order to be at the safer side, I took to some measures that are
affordable such as handwashing and improvised face mask (IDI/Male/Hydraulics
Motor Mechanic/Ajisebiyawo, Osogbo). Similar submission from another
participant showed thus,

at initial stage, I was sceptical of the veracity of COVID-19, but I

have clients who are health professionals; these people did not
relent in telling us about the reality called COVID-19. It is also for
this reason that I am always wearing my face mask. Despite this,
we cannot do without going to the workshop. Aside the economic
returns we look forward to while at the workshops, we have
developed a culture of transiting between our religious house,
102 Musediq Olufemi Lawal et al.

our home, and the workshop. To suddenly stop coming to the

workshop when we are still hale and hearty is like trying to punish
us unnecessarily (IDI/Male/Vulcaniser/Omofe, Ilesa).

A participant also revealed that he knew three people who have died because
of infection from those living with coronavirus, which showed that COVID-19
was real. He however noted that staying at home with nothing in our pocket to
take care of the family will pave way for boredom, unnecessary anxiety and
depression. In his words, when we move out of the house very early and return in
the night, we feel refreshed apart from having token with which the family is being
managed (IDI/Male/Battery Charger/Alamisi, Ikirun). An artisan lamented that
the fear of losing the battle to hunger and frustration that keep up threatening him
and the family is higher than the devastating effects of COVID-19.
Shedding light on what motivated him to default against lockdown order, an
artisan said, I was encouraged to venture out during the lockdown when I heard
that some our leaders have been going to their workshop for considerable
numbers of period. The marketers of Automobile Spare Parts have joined the
bandwagon (IDI/Male/Automobile Mechanic/Ogo Oluwa area, Osogbo). Infor-
mation on the mass media, particularly the radio, formed parts of the reason for
defaulting against lockdown. According to one of the artisans, we keep on hearing
how people are mismanaging the donations being given by well-meaning Niger-
ians to support the vulnerable on the mass media. How reasonable will adherence
be? So, as a responsible citizen, ‘I belief the best option is to fend for what I and
the people under my care will eat hence my resolve to sneak out to work during
the lockdown’ (IDI/Male/Builder/Mason/Akiibiti, Ile-Ife). COVID-19 crisis
therefore made it glaring that anybody who have his fate submitted to govern-
ment is dead while still alive. Since we seem to see element of truth in existence of
COVID-19, what we only do was to apply native intelligence on how to tackle it
(IDI/Male/Plumber/Oke Iresi, Ede).

Socio-Psychological Effects of Perceived Vulnerability

to COVID-19
The fear and anxiety about the health outcome, desperate search for cost-effective
management option, environmental induced socio-psychological stress, challenges
of asymptomatic cases and mutual mistrust in social interactions and indifference
due to heightened socio-economic uncertainty are some of the socio-psychological
effects of perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 highlighted by the artisans. In line
with this, a participant noted thus, for the period the heat of the pandemic lasted,
everybody was fear-stricken; it was as if the world was coming to an end. A
situation where the virus was noted as having no cure and everybody was
expected to remain at home with no feasible source of livelihood was terrifying.
Apprehension was the order of the day at that time. But we thank God that the
situation is becoming better (IDI/Male/House Painter/Ejigbo).
 Artisans’ Disposition of Coronavirus 103

As parts of the perceived socio-psychological effects of vulnerability to

COVID-19, an artisan said, I have mixed feeling at the beginning of this
pandemic particularly when I ventured out with medical personnel that sought for
my services. While on our way to Iree town, what I saw was not palatable. For
instance, the desolate condition of the roads from Osogbo to Ikirun during the
period depicted war situations. Anxiety thus pervaded the environmental terrain
at that time. The common thought and utterances of everybody at that time was
when the pandemic will end; the future of the children and family members if
inevitable (death) eventually happened (IDI/Male/Auto Electrical Technician,
Otaefun, Osogbo).
As this progressed, the issue began to take dangerous dimension as people
began to be wary of health status of their friends and acquaintances. A participant
shed light on this thus, we heard that some people may be carriers of COVID-19,
still such persons may not show the symptoms and still have the capabilities of
infecting others. This has resulted in mutual mistrust among people that may not
know the health status of the person they are interacting with. Many friends have
severed their relationships for the time being (IDI/Male/Carpenter/Modakeke).

COVID-19 Management Strategies, Economic Well-Being and

Perceived Vulnerability
This section is probing into the implications of perceived vulnerability on eco-
nomic well-being. A participant revealed thus, in view of the fear of the unknown
and uncertainty of what the future has in stick for everyone because of COVID-19,
we have cases of some acquaintances who have wrongly combined the unorthodox
remedies being reeled out on daily basis. It took the grace of God and the supports
of medical personnel in our communities to save the lives of the concerned. The
surprising thing here is that others are not stopping the usage of similar remedies
(IDI/Male/Automobile Spray Painter/Feesu, Iwo). It was revealed further that the
children and others who depend on the head of the family for food and other
means of survival. In this case, every family was at the mercy of God and what
could be gotten on humanitarian ground due to financial incapacitation occa-
sioned by the pandemic (IDI/Male/Plumber/Owode, Osogbo).
As parts of their own innovations to prevent coronavirus infections, some of
the participating artisans in this study noted the management measures they have
adopted for the prevention of infection from the pandemic. Almost all of them
make use of saltwater as preventive measures. In the words of a participant, what
we do is to put the saltwater in our mouth and gargle with it in order to kill
opportunistic virus that may have settled in the respiratory tract of the body
system (IDI/Male/Bricklayer/Mason/Oloti, Iragbiji). Not only this, but it was also
equally revealed that lemon mixed with warm water and herbal tea are parts of
their measures at preventing COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 management strategies adopted by the participants for prevention
of the pandemic included eating of mango fruits with its outer skin. The belief
here is that this will boost the immune system and prevent COVID-19. The
104 Musediq Olufemi Lawal et al.

participants further acknowledged that they were told that eating of onion leaves
or the fruits can act as preventive measure against COVID-19. In the words of one
of the participants, I have tried the two measures severally, all in the name of
finding alternative measure that will put my mind at rest since orthodox medical
practitioners are claiming that no cure was available for coronavirus (IDI/Male/
Vulcaniser/Ikire).
A participant noted,

garlic was alleged to be potent for prevention of COVID-19;

ginger was equally stated to be highly effective when it is boiled
and consume in large quantities after fasting for a day. My wife
usually purchases the garlic and ginger as condiments for her
cooking. I therefore do not have problem of accessing them for
adoption as measures for fighting COVID-19 (IDI/Male/Battery
Charger/Oke Ogbo, Ile-Ife).

Black seeds powder and black seed oil are other measures that are commonly
used for boosting of immunity. It was thus stressed that, the potency of black
seeds powder manifest most when it is mixed with hot pap for consumption. The
oil of the black seeds can be mixed with hot pap, hot water, or drink without
mixing with any objects (IDI/Male/Carpenter/Ejigbo).
Another participant showed, every traditional medical regimen prescribed was
utilised by me. For instance, I’ve added balm into hot water and inhaled. The balm
included the locally made and those that come from pharmaceutical companies. At
least I get reassured every time I utilised these regimens (IDI/Male/Bricklayer/
Maboreje, Ikirun). Similar scenario was painted among the artisans that are
working on housing projects. According to one of them, we usually come to the
construction site with our flask of hot water to protect ourselves from COVID-19
infection. Ginger, garlic and lemon are what we add to the hot water for extraction
of medicinal properties in them. The extract is taken before leaving home in the
morning. At the construction site, the extract is also taken and at the close of work
for the day, it is also taken. Immune system is boosted through this; and when
immune system is virile, there is nothing to fear about disease like COVID-19 (IDI/
Male/Auto Electrical Technician (Rewire)/Irojo, Ilesa). In another instance, a
participant revealed that usage of neem leaves is another measure. These leaves are
washed and boiled for drinking. The drinking of such is always done at home for
every member of my family to benefit (IDI/Male/Bricklayer/Otan Ayegbaju).
Medical personnel who were members of the State Task Force for the control
of COVID-19 pandemic debunked the veracity of unconventional management
measures adopted by the people against COVID-19. They equally expressed their
worries on the implications of usage of such measures that were not medically
certified by competent bodies. In the words of one of them, application of hot
water, lemon and so on for mouth rinsing have no effect because coronavirus
settles in the respiratory tract. This may lead to enthronement of false confidence
thereby increasing infection rates (KII/Female Medical Personnel/State Task
Force Committee on COVID-19/Osogbo).
 Artisans’ Disposition of Coronavirus 105

On the issue of financial challenges in procuring hand sanitiser for protection

of COVID-19, the medical personnel revealed that washing of the hand in soap
and water for at least 20 seconds is the best way in most situations. Usage of hand
sanitiser only become necessary where soap and water are not available. Because
the hands of those working in the automobile outfits are almost always visibly
dirty and greasy, usage of soap and water remain necessary (KII/Male Medical
Personnel/State Task Force Committee on COVID-19/Osogbo).

Challenges in Fighting against COVID-19

Despite the efforts of the State Task Force Committee on the control of coro-
navirus pandemic, the members still noted some challenges limiting the expected
outcome of their duties. The expected co-operation from the members of the
public of which the artisans were included was abysmal low when compared to
resources deployed. One of the members reported that the process of imple-
menting the lockdown measures across the city and the hinterlands was not an
easy task. In his words, our committee thus relied on the supports from other
stakeholders like religious bodies, traditional institution. The success recorded in
the implementation of the lockdown aside the role of security agencies should be
attributed to the religious organisations and the traditional institutions across the
state (KII/Female/Technical Member (Logistics)/State Task Force Committee on
COVID-19 Task force/Osogbo).
Specific mention was made of the presence and activities of the people working
in automobile workshops that were apparently known to everyone in the State.
According to a participant, we have approached them severally to let them know
the implications of what they were doing. Their responses on reasons for their
actions were not convincing (KII/Male Medical Personnel/State Task Force
Committee on COVID-19/Osogbo). Members of security arm of the Task Force
admitted that on several occasions when their vehicles developed problem, these
‘defaulters’ were the people they call upon for the fixing of the vehicles. In the
words of a member, we make use of the services of vulcanisers among them. It
was this that somehow prevented us from listing them for sanctions (KII/Male/
Technical Member (Security)/State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 Task
force/Osogbo). One of the members of the Task force stressed further, we expe-
rienced shortage of equipment, drugs/vaccine, other logistics which could have
assisted our surveillance and response processes (KII/Male/Technical Member
(Logistics)/State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 Task force/Osogbo).

Discussion of Findings
High hope was placed on restriction of people’s movement across the
geographical divides as parts of the measures for the spread of COVID-19
infections. The restriction order and its implementation were successful in some
cases but not among the artisans. However, some measures for prevention of
COVID-19 were perceived as highly inconvenient in nature and interfering with
106 Musediq Olufemi Lawal et al.

their lifestyle. The side effects of these were equally described as capable of
rendering their well-being zero. As a result of these, the artisans found adherence
to preventive measure unpalatable; hence, their resolve to sneak out to their
workplace almost on daily basis when they were supposed to be isolated away
from other people. Adherence to seemingly endless routine of washing hands,
using face mask, hand sanitiser, social distancing and the likes declined in rele-
vance over time.
By the outcome of this study, virtually all the participants (artisans) are aware
of the risk involved in non- or poor adherence to preventive measures against
COVID-19. Despite this awareness, the artisans showed their flagrant disregard
for such adherence. It thus showed that exposure to others’ opinions and
behaviours, including family members, friends and colleagues, is likely to affect
how people evaluate a specific situation and potentially induce changes in
behaviour (Areo et al., 2020; Bicchieri, Dimant, Gachter, & Nosenzo, 2020; Oh,
2013; Stallen & Sanfey, 2015).
Relating the findings to the adopted theory, it was obvious that individuals’
reactions to recommended measures against COVID-19 was significantly influ-
enced by the perceived severity of the consequences of the pandemic; efficacy and
self-efficacy. In view of the demonstrated knowledge of vulnerability and severity
of COVID-19 infections, but the actions of the artisans were contrary to this. It is
expected that their knowledge of the consequences of the pandemic motivate them
to adhere to the existing preventive measures. Tactical disregard to lockdown
order affirmed that the level of perception of severity and vulnerability of
COVID-19 is lower. Higher perception of inherent rewards (finance) in going to
their places of works must have informed the flouting of lockdown order.

Conclusion
From the outcome of this chapter, it was apparent the conventional measures for
combating the spread of COVID-19 through information sharing about the dis-
ease transmission and epidemiological knowledge, sharing of strategies to contain
the transmission still suffered setback. The challenges that made the artisans not
to see through this novel and encouraging measures according to this chapter are
purely sociocultural. Rather than keyed into the much-publicised measures, the
artisans were found to be seemingly anxious on how to overcome the challenges
not captured by the measures. The ensuing anxiety therefore influenced their
willingness to try anything that might give them a sense of control over the sit-
uation. This therefore underscores a policy direction that will take cultural vari-
ables surrounding every medical affliction including COVID-19 into cognisance
while sourcing for medical intervention programme. This is because every human
particularly in Africa sees health condition through naturalistic and personalistic
perspectives. It is when this dual nature of man is acknowledged within such
medical interventions that the objective behind these efforts will not be defeated.
When this is done, such challenges as expressed by the artisans in this study will be
captured by the medical intervention for expected results.
 Artisans’ Disposition of Coronavirus 107

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