Compliance with Non-Pharmacological Measures of Prevention against Covid-19 Infection among Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian University

Abstract

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as wearing a facemask in public, effective hand hygiene, cough etiquette, physical distancing, and voluntary self-isolation are critical in the prevention and control of Covid-19. This study was carried out to assess compliance with NPIs against Covid-19 among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 600 students for this cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The mean age of students was 22.0 ± 3.3 years. Overall, 340 (56.7%) respondents had a good knowledge of NPIs against Covid-19, 395 (65.8%) had a positive attitude towards NPI, majority, 345 (90.8%), had poor compliance with of NPIs. The student’s level of study (p=0.009) and faculty (p=0.002) were statistically significantly associated with their knowledge of NPIs. This study showed fair knowledge, and an encouraging positive attitude but sub-optimal compliance with NPIs in the prevention and control of Covid-19 among the undergraduate students studied. The University of Benin authority should institute measures aimed at the continuous education of undergraduate students on the importance of compliance with NPIs targeted against Covid-19. Keywords: Covid-19, Non-pharmacological interventions, University undergraduates, Nigeria.