A Study on the Compliance, Risk Perception and Attitude of University of Khartoum Medical Students to Safety Measures Against COVID-19 during the Period of Lockdown, Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Background COVID-19 is a novel respiratory infectious disease. Preventive measures against COVID-19 include facemask use, physical distancing and good sanitation and hygiene practices. Risk perception of COVID-19 is important in prevention. Lockdown was imposed in Sudan in early 2020. The study aims to: study the compliance, risk perception and attitude of University of Khartoum Medical Students to safety measures during the period of COVID-19 lockdown. Methodology: An observational descriptive cross sectional study, institutional based at the University of Khartoum, Faculty of Medicine in 435 students selected via proportionate stratified random sampling through a self-administered semi- structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Pearson and Mann Whitney U test were used to measure associations. Result Out of 435 participants, a mean adherence of 57.7%, mean risk perception of 73.6% were elicited. And 80.3% had a positive attitude towards lockdown. Adherence had significant association with gender and risk perception. Risk perception had no significant relation with gender. Conclusion In conclusion, adherence to preventive measures among medical students of the University of Khartoum was poor. Risk Perception was high. Attitude towards lockdown was positive.

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“…The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) conducted a survey on lock-down effects for students in primary schools [24]. They had made an intervention by the SUZA TV channel to air the contents of some maths and science lessons for F1 to F6 students.…”