Landscape Political Ecology: Rural-Urban Pattern of COVID-19 in Nigeria

Abstract

The socio-ecological and political properties of rural and urban landscapes have been argued to produce the differentials in rural-urban health. However, the mechanism of the COVID-19 pattern in this socio-political-ecological perspective has not been understood in Africa. The study used spatial techniques to explore the pattern of urbanization-COVID-19 nexus in Nigeria. It has been argued that three elements (demographic dynamics, infrastructure or governance) typify the socio-political-ecological landscape of urban places. They shape the spread of infectious diseases. We explored the extent to which these factors predict the COVID-19 pattern in Nigeria. The study used data from Nigeria's Centre for Diseases Control and the National Bureau of Statistics. The results indicate that more urban states in Nigeria tend to have higher COVID-19 cases than rural states. The COVID-19 pattern is best predicted by population dynamics more than other elements. The result indicates demographic attributes are more critical to surges in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. Places with higher populations and densities will tend to have more spread of the virus than places with lesser populations and densities. Therefore, in a future outbreak, places of high densities should be given more attention to prevent further spread.