A Multi-Country Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge and Worry About COVID-19 Among Higher Education Students During the First Wave of the Pandemic

Abstract

Background Public health measures such as physical distancing and distance learning have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having inadequate COVID-19 related knowledge can lead to excessive worrying as well as negative COVID-19 outcomes. Our study aimed to assess COVID-19 related knowledge and its association with worries among higher education (HE) students during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods A cross sectional survey, COVID-19 International Students Well-being Study (C-19 ISWS) was conducted in 133 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in 26 countries between April 27 and July 7, 2020. A stratified convenience sampling technique was used. Descriptive, bivariate, mixed effect logistic regression analysis were conducted using R software. Results Out of 127,362 respondents, 72.1 % were female, and 76.5% did not report a previous history of confirmed COVID-19. Majority of those without the previous infection 81,645 (83.7%) were from 21 European countries while the rest 15,850 (16.3%) from 5 non-European countries. The most frequent correct response to COVID-19 related knowledge questions among respondents was having the virus without having symptoms (94.3%). Compared to participants with good knowledge, the odds of being worried of acquiring SARS-COV-2 infection with poor knowledge was 1.05 (95%CI:1.03,1.08) and the odds of being worried of contracting severe COVID-19 was 1.36 (95%CI:1.31,1.40). Conclusion COVID-19 related knowledge was independently associated with both worry of acquiring SARS-COV-2 infection as well as contracting severe COVID-19. We recommend scaling up of awareness campaigns through media to increase the comprehensive COVID-19 related knowledge in order to tackle excessive worries about acquiring severe COVID-19.