Impact of COVID-19 on academic activities of final year nursing students: a Zambian reflection

Abstract

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had many impacts on the education sector. The pandemic has had negative impacts on the academic activities of nursing students globally. Therefore, we assessed the impact of the COVID-19 on final year nursing students’ academic activities in Lusaka and Mufulira districts of Zambia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that employed quantitative methods using a structured questionnaire among 196 final year nursing students from 1August 2020 to 30 September 2020. Data were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results: A female predominance (67.9%) and a response rate of 86% were obtained. Many students strongly agreed (32.7%) and agreed (20.4%) that they did not complete their course work resulting in some concepts being poorly taught, 86.1% strongly agreed that they had delayed final examinations, and 51.5% strongly agreed that they did not do their clinical attachments. Students strongly disagreed (40.3%) that the e-library and wireless facilities in their school were well-stocked. Hence, this resulted in some students (40.3%) missing class lessons and assessments.Conclusions:The COVID-19 epidemic has negatively affected the academic activities of nursing students in Zambia. Ministries responsible for education must put in place measures that will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the education sector. Schools must adapt to the changes in the way of conducting learning and assessment sessions. Finally, schools must improve on their e-library and wireless facilities to effectively support online learning.

Zambia’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring Lessons, Challenges and Implications for Future Policies and Strategies

“…Following the first two cases that were reported, an increase in community transmission was recorded. Due to the fear of the pandemic worsening, the government of the Republic of Zambia enforced a partial lockdown that led to the closure of schools, colleges, and universities on 20 th March 2020 [28]. This was instituted as a way to contain the pandemic.…”

Knowledge and Attitudes towards COVID-19 Prevention Measures among Residents of Lusaka District in Zambia

“…The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was first reported in China and has spread to the rest of the globe (Guner et al, 2020). Due to its rapid spread globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a pandemic (Cucinotta & Vanelli, 2020;Mwila et al, 2021;Sohrabi et al, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has presented society with unprecedented challenges and upended life in various devastating ways.…”

“…The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 was thought to be linked to a lack of knowledge and non-adherence to the prevention measures required to contain it (Lufungulo et al, 2021;Sialubanje et al, 2022). To this effect, measures were targeted at educating the public on preventive measures such as the frequent wearing face masks, especially in public places, washing hands adequately with soap and running water, hand sanitising with alcohol-based hand sanitisers, physical and social distancing, and staying at home (Guner et al, 2020;Mwila et al, 2021;Talic et al, 2021). These measures were recommended by the WHO to member states (Chileshe et al, 2020;Talic et al, 2021).…”

Challenges Affecting African Countries in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Interventional Strategies in Low-and Middle-Income Countries

“…to pandemics in most African counties were severely affected during the pandemic [61]. Human resources, critical care beds, and laboratory capacity, in par- ticular, are all in short supply [61].…”

“…to pandemics in most African counties were severely affected during the pandemic [61]. Human resources, critical care beds, and laboratory capacity, in par- ticular, are all in short supply [61]. For example in 2018, the number of nurses or midwives per 10,000 people in Côte d'Ivoire and Mozambique was approximately 6, while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya was 11.…”