The Extent of Adherence to the Precautionary Measures Among University Students in Palestine During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

(COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the globe causing massive disruptions to everyday life. This study aimed to assess the extent of adherence to the Precautionary measures among university students in Palestine during COVID-19 Pandemic. Research design: A cross-sectional sample survey consisted of 2094 male and female university students. Setting: the study was conducted at Modern University College, An-Najah National University, Palestine Polytechnic University, Al-Quds Open University, Ibn Sina College of Health Sciences and Arab American of University /West Bank / Palestine. The data collected was from the participant university students and started in first November 2020 to late November 2020 Subjects: A convenience sample consisted of 2094 female and male students with different Bachelor degree programs. Tools: A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection and included the following parts. Part 1: demographic particulars of the university students, Part II. Knowledge of university students about Coronavirus, knowledge among isolation for patient with COVID-19 at home, also their knowledge regarding following for Precautionary measures outside home, Part III: precaution practices were assessed for university students outside home Part IV: assessed University student attitude toward COVID-19. Results: the current study reveals that 80.2% of the studied sample of students had a satisfactory total knowledge regarding precaution measures outside home, 91% of them had a satisfactory total knowledge regarding precaution measures inside home among patient with COVID-19, and 95.5% of them had a satisfactory total knowledge regarding COVID-19 disease. There was a statistically highly significant relation between total knowledge and total practices outside home (p-value<0.001), and statistically significant relation between total knowledge and total attitudes (p-value 0.005). Conclusion: based on the current study, students were observed to have substantial knowledge, practices for precautionary measures, and a positive attitude toward COVID-19. Recommendation: continuing Government programs should aim to educate individuals from other sectors of the society to ensure the proper dissemination of knowledge on preventive safety measures, as this will help restrict and control the pandemic.