Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia

Received: 3 August 2023     Accepted: 2 September 2023     Published: 11 November 2023
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Abstract

This study sought to explore risk perception, health seeking behaviours and adherence to preventive behaviours towards COVID-19 infection among undergraduate students at CHRESO University in Lusaka, Zambia. A total of 181 students aged between 18 and 45 years from all faculties at Chreso University whose COVID-19 status was not known were selected via simple random sampling technique to participate in this study. Data was collected from the respondents using a structured interview questionnaire with closed ended questions. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20) and was presented by Tables. The correlations between predictors and end results variables were categorized by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study uncovered that, most of the respondents (76%) had an adequate level of knowledge on COVID-19 as most of them knew that the causative organism of COVID-19 was not bacteria. Sex and age were found to have a statistically substantial relationship with the level of knowledge about COVID-19 infection preventive measures among students (p<0.05). The study also shows that the vast majority of the participants (32%) had moderate risk perception of COVID-19 infection while 37% of study participants had low risk perception due to lack of vaccination. Marriage was found to have a strong statistical association with the level of risk perception of COVID-19 infection among students (P < 0.05). The majority of the participants also had poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures because many of them were able to put on their masks (45%) and use hand sanitizer (37%) only when advised to do so. The results also show that the participants had poor health seeking behaviors in that 59% of the respondents had never accessed COVID-19 screening facilities while 52% did not even know if at all there was a cost associated with testing. Religion and marital status were found to have a significant statistical relationship with the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among students (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that university Students should be sensitized on COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures and encouraged to regularly engage in health-seeking behaviours. The university authority through the Ministry of Health should develop risk communication policies aimed at helping students understand the gravity of COVID-19 infection and the potential repercussions of not adhering to preventive measures.

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15
Page(s) 280-290
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

COVID-19, Perception, Health Seeking Behaviour, Zambia

References
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[7] Soltan, E. M., El-Zoghby, S. M,. & Salama, H. M. (2020). Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Pandemic Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Egypt. SN Compr. Clin. Med, p.2568–2575 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-020-00640-2.
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[10] AlHajri, L., & Mohamed, H. M. (2022). Measuring the Level of Knowledge and Awareness About COVID-19 Among the Community of a College in Dubai: A Comparative Study Between Participants of Health Sciences and Non-Health Sciences Backgrounds. SAGE Open, 12 (2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221091723
[11] Duygulu, S., Kuruca-Ozdemir, E., Erdat, Y., & Kocoglu-Tanyer, D. (2023). University Students’ Risk Perception, Protective Measures, and General Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, Cambridge University Press, 17 (1), E267. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2022.216.
[12] Vromans, R. D, Linn, A. J., Maru, N., Pabian, S., Krahmer, E. J, Guidry, J. P. D. (2023). Predicting and comparing COVID-19 risk perceptions across the Netherlands and Belgium: A cross-sectional survey among university students. PLoS ONE, 18 (2), e0277417. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277417.
[13] Albaqawi, H. M., Alquwez, N., Balay-odao, E., Bajet, J. B., Alabdulaziz, H., Alsolami, F., Tumala, R. B., Alsharari, A. F., Tork, H. M. M., Felemban, E. M., and Cruz, J. P. (2020). Nursing Students’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Preventive Behaviors Toward COVID-19: A Multi-University Study. Front. Public Health 8: 573390. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.573390.
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[17] Ahmed. (2022). Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among male medical students, Egypt. Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 97 (8), p.1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-022-00103-7
[18] Mose, A., Haile, K., & Timerga, A. (2022). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among medical and health science students attending Wolkite University in Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 17 (1). e0263081. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263081
[19] Lambert, S. D., & Loiselle, C. G. (2007). The role of health information-seeking in health promotion: A critical review. Health Education & Behavior, 34 (3), 305-322.
[20] Tsegaw, M, Mulat, B, Shitu, K. (2022). Risk perception and preventive behaviours of COVID-19 among university students, Gondar, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2022; 12: e057404. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057404.
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[24] Shahnazi, H., Ahmadi-Livani, M., Pahlavanzadeh, B,, Rajabi, A., Hamrah, MS., & Charkazi, A. (2020). Assessing preventive health behaviors from COVID-19 based on the health belief model (HBM) among people in Golestan province: a cross-sectional study in Northern Iran. Infect Dis Poverty 9: 157–165.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mulenga, Q., Obi Daniel, E., Dawria Ibrahim, A., Saul Simbeye, T., Chisanga, A., et al. (2023). COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia. World Journal of Public Health, 8(4), 280-290. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15

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    ACS Style

    Mulenga, Q.; Obi Daniel, E.; Dawria Ibrahim, A.; Saul Simbeye, T.; Chisanga, A., et al. COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia. World J. Public Health 2023, 8(4), 280-290. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15

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    AMA Style

    Mulenga Q, Obi Daniel E, Dawria Ibrahim A, Saul Simbeye T, Chisanga A, et al. COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia. World J Public Health. 2023;8(4):280-290. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15,
      author = {Queen Mulenga and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Adam Dawria Ibrahim and Tinkler Saul Simbeye and Arthur Chisanga and Evason Mandona and Ivy Mulenga and Royda Matipa and Emmanuel Chirwa and Kanjiye Sakutaha and Wezi Kachinda and Michele Mwika Kabeya and Basil Ngambi and Sabe Mwape and Monica Katunga and Milimo Miyoba Mweemba},
      title = {COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia},
      journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {8},
      number = {4},
      pages = {280-290},
      doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20230804.15},
      abstract = {This study sought to explore risk perception, health seeking behaviours and adherence to preventive behaviours towards COVID-19 infection among undergraduate students at CHRESO University in Lusaka, Zambia. A total of 181 students aged between 18 and 45 years from all faculties at Chreso University whose COVID-19 status was not known were selected via simple random sampling technique to participate in this study. Data was collected from the respondents using a structured interview questionnaire with closed ended questions. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20) and was presented by Tables. The correlations between predictors and end results variables were categorized by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study uncovered that, most of the respondents (76%) had an adequate level of knowledge on COVID-19 as most of them knew that the causative organism of COVID-19 was not bacteria. Sex and age were found to have a statistically substantial relationship with the level of knowledge about COVID-19 infection preventive measures among students (p<0.05). The study also shows that the vast majority of the participants (32%) had moderate risk perception of COVID-19 infection while 37% of study participants had low risk perception due to lack of vaccination. Marriage was found to have a strong statistical association with the level of risk perception of COVID-19 infection among students (P < 0.05). The majority of the participants also had poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures because many of them were able to put on their masks (45%) and use hand sanitizer (37%) only when advised to do so. The results also show that the participants had poor health seeking behaviors in that 59% of the respondents had never accessed COVID-19 screening facilities while 52% did not even know if at all there was a cost associated with testing. Religion and marital status were found to have a significant statistical relationship with the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among students (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that university Students should be sensitized on COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures and encouraged to regularly engage in health-seeking behaviours. The university authority through the Ministry of Health should develop risk communication policies aimed at helping students understand the gravity of COVID-19 infection and the potential repercussions of not adhering to preventive measures.
    },
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia
    AU  - Queen Mulenga
    AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
    AU  - Adam Dawria Ibrahim
    AU  - Tinkler Saul Simbeye
    AU  - Arthur Chisanga
    AU  - Evason Mandona
    AU  - Ivy Mulenga
    AU  - Royda Matipa
    AU  - Emmanuel Chirwa
    AU  - Kanjiye Sakutaha
    AU  - Wezi Kachinda
    AU  - Michele Mwika Kabeya
    AU  - Basil Ngambi
    AU  - Sabe Mwape
    AU  - Monica Katunga
    AU  - Milimo Miyoba Mweemba
    Y1  - 2023/11/11
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15
    DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15
    T2  - World Journal of Public Health
    JF  - World Journal of Public Health
    JO  - World Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 280
    EP  - 290
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2637-6059
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15
    AB  - This study sought to explore risk perception, health seeking behaviours and adherence to preventive behaviours towards COVID-19 infection among undergraduate students at CHRESO University in Lusaka, Zambia. A total of 181 students aged between 18 and 45 years from all faculties at Chreso University whose COVID-19 status was not known were selected via simple random sampling technique to participate in this study. Data was collected from the respondents using a structured interview questionnaire with closed ended questions. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20) and was presented by Tables. The correlations between predictors and end results variables were categorized by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study uncovered that, most of the respondents (76%) had an adequate level of knowledge on COVID-19 as most of them knew that the causative organism of COVID-19 was not bacteria. Sex and age were found to have a statistically substantial relationship with the level of knowledge about COVID-19 infection preventive measures among students (p<0.05). The study also shows that the vast majority of the participants (32%) had moderate risk perception of COVID-19 infection while 37% of study participants had low risk perception due to lack of vaccination. Marriage was found to have a strong statistical association with the level of risk perception of COVID-19 infection among students (P < 0.05). The majority of the participants also had poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures because many of them were able to put on their masks (45%) and use hand sanitizer (37%) only when advised to do so. The results also show that the participants had poor health seeking behaviors in that 59% of the respondents had never accessed COVID-19 screening facilities while 52% did not even know if at all there was a cost associated with testing. Religion and marital status were found to have a significant statistical relationship with the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among students (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that university Students should be sensitized on COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures and encouraged to regularly engage in health-seeking behaviours. The university authority through the Ministry of Health should develop risk communication policies aimed at helping students understand the gravity of COVID-19 infection and the potential repercussions of not adhering to preventive measures.
    
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

  • Department of Public Health, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha, Saudi Arabia

  • Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Department of Public Health, Chibombo College of Health Sciences, Chibombo, Zambia

  • Department of Curriculum Development, Nurses and Midwifery Council of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Department of Education and Training, Nurses and Midwifery Council of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Faculty of Health Sciences, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Department of Public Health, Kalulushi College of Nursing, Kalulushi, Zambia

  • Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Catholic Relief Services, CRS Headquarters Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Catholic Relief Services, Provincial Health Office, Mongu, Zambia

  • Ministry of Health Headquarters, Department of Laboratory Services, Lusaka, Zambia

  • School of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Eden University, Lusaka, Zambia

  • School of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Rusangu University, Lusaka, Zambia

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