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

Queen Mulenga; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; Adam Dawria Ibrahim; Tinkler Saul Simbeye; Arthur Chisanga; Evason Mandona; Ivy Mulenga; Royda Matipa; Emmanuel Chirwa; Kanjiye Sakutaha; Wezi Kachinda; Michele Mwika Kabeya; Basil Ngambi; Sabe Mwape; Monica Katunga; Milimo Miyoba Mweemba

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.15

Research Article |

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

Queen Mulenga, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Adam Dawria Ibrahim, Tinkler Saul Simbeye^*, Arthur Chisanga, Evason Mandona, Ivy Mulenga, Royda Matipa, Emmanuel Chirwa, Kanjiye Sakutaha, Wezi Kachinda, Michele Mwika Kabeya, Basil Ngambi, Sabe Mwape, Monica Katunga, Milimo Miyoba Mweemba

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 4)

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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[5]	Tinkler Saul Simbeye, Pamela Mwansa, Queen Mulenga, Evason Mandona, Esther Masebe, Arthur Chisanga, Remmy Mulenga, Inonge Milupi Muyunda, Mary Mtonga Chimwala. Kennedy Mwila, Dorothy Banda. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Mwandi District of Zambia – A Three-Year Retrospective Study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy. Vol. 8, No. 1, 2023, pp. 31-38. doi: 10.11648/j.ijidt.20230801.14.
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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.
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[14]	Bish, A., & Michie, S. (2010). Demographic and attitudinal determinants of protective behaviours during a pandemic: a review. Br J Health Psychol. 15: 797–824. doi: 10.1348/135910710X485826.
[15]	Chandrashekharayya, S., & Kavitha, M., Prakash., & Hand, P. K, S. D. (2014). To study the level of awareness about complications of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in CSOM patients. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014; 8: 59.
[16]	Kebede, B. F., Genie, Y. D., Tesf, T. B., Hiwot, A. Y., Abagelan, A. M., & Zerihun, M. S. (2022). Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among high school students in Jimma town, South-West Ethiopia: Institutional-based cross-sectional study. PLoS One, 17 (12), e0279081. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279081.
[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.
[21]	Bak, C. K., Krammer, J. Ø., Dadaczynski, K., Orkan, O., von Seelen, J., Prinds, C., Søbjerg, L. M., et al. (2022). Digital Health Literacy and Information-Seeking Behavior among University College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Denmark. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (6), 3676. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063676
[22]	Zhang, D., Zhan, W., & Zheng, C. et al. (2021) Online health information-seeking behaviors and skills of Chinese college students. BMC Public Health 21 (736. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10801-0
[23]	Shieh, W. J., Lee, J. F., Chen, C. C., & Lin, C. C. (2010). Health information seeking and health promotion behaviors among college students in Taiwan. Journal of the American College Health, 58 (6), 455-462.
[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.

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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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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

Queen Mulenga

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

Contact Email
Ebenezer Obi Daniel

Department of Public Health, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
Adam Dawria Ibrahim

Department of Public Health, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha, Saudi Arabia
Tinkler Saul Simbeye

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

Contact Email
Arthur Chisanga

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

Contact Email
Evason Mandona

Department of Public Health, Chibombo College of Health Sciences, Chibombo, Zambia
Ivy Mulenga

Department of Curriculum Development, Nurses and Midwifery Council of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Royda Matipa

Department of Education and Training, Nurses and Midwifery Council of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Emmanuel Chirwa

Faculty of Health Sciences, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
Kanjiye Sakutaha

Department of Public Health, Kalulushi College of Nursing, Kalulushi, Zambia
Wezi Kachinda

Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
Michele Mwika Kabeya

Catholic Relief Services, CRS Headquarters Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Basil Ngambi

Catholic Relief Services, Provincial Health Office, Mongu, Zambia
Sabe Mwape

Ministry of Health Headquarters, Department of Laboratory Services, Lusaka, Zambia
Monica Katunga

School of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Eden University, Lusaka, Zambia
Milimo Miyoba Mweemba

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

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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

Copy | Download

@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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