Caregivers' Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines: A Study of Caregivers of Children with Intellectual Disability in Clinical Support and Therapeutic Management Home/School, Lagos, Nigeria

Authors

  • Michael Okaba Ataben Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Victor Bassey Akpan Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Mojisola Nkechi Manuel Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Mary Ogban Enyi Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Philip Abane Okpechi Department of Guidance & Counseling, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Ogban Nkanu Ogban Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Roland Afen Inah Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Mkpe Inah Institute of Public Policy & Administration, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Godwin Obogo Obogo Department of Educational Psychology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Lazarus Ishifundi Udie Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Vitalis Ugochukwu Eke Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Ikpi Inyang Okoi Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Patrick ifeanyi Nwafor Department of Social Studies & Civic Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Agede Ambor Ogar Department of Guidance & Counseling, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Blessing Edet Isong Department of Educational Management, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Joy Sade Okoye Department of Special Education, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2026.14.01.6

Keywords:

Caregivers, COVID-19 Guidelines, Compliance, Intellectual Disability, Clinical Support, Therapeutic Management, Home/School, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presented serious challenges to special education systems, particularly for caregivers responsible for persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). Because of the low intellectual functioning, most individuals with ID lack the capacity to follow basic rules that can enhance their well-being; hence, they depend on caregivers for their everyday living. This study examined how caregivers' attitudes and hazard incentives influenced their adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols in Childcare and Treatment Home/School Home/School, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria. 159 caregivers participated in the study, employing a correlational survey approach. Data were collected using a researcher-designed instrument titled “Caregivers' Attitude, Hazard Incentive, and COVID-19 Precautionary Compliance Questionnaire” (CAHICPCQ). The collected data were analysed using simple linear regression and multiple linear regression with dummy-coded hazard incentive variables. Results revealed that caregivers’ attitude significantly predict compliance with COVID-19 precautionary measures, F(1,157) = 48.99, R = .48, R² = .24, β = .49, p < .001. Hazard incentives also significantly influenced compliance at the model level, F(7,151) = 2.84, R² = .116, adjusted R² = .075, p = .008; however, among the individual incentive variables, only personal sanitiser availability was a significant positive predictor (B = 6.60, β = .177, p = .027). These findings emphasize the necessity of attitudinal training and institutional incentives to improve caregivers' compliance, especially during public health emergencies. The study suggests that special education stakeholders should prioritize behavioural support programs and structured hazard incentive systems to protect caregivers and children with ID.

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Published

2026-04-06

How to Cite

Ataben, M. O. ., Akpan, V. B. ., Manuel, M. N. ., Enyi, M. O. ., Okpechi, P. A. ., Ogban, O. N. ., Inah, R. A. ., Inah, E. M. ., Obogo, G. O. ., Udie, L. I. ., Eke, V. U. ., Okoi, I. I. ., Nwafor, P. ifeanyi ., Ogar, A. A. ., Isong, B. E. ., & Okoye, J. S. . (2026). Caregivers’ Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines: A Study of Caregivers of Children with Intellectual Disability in Clinical Support and Therapeutic Management Home/School, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 14(1), 74–81. https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2026.14.01.6

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Section

General Articles
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