Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Related Factors Among University Students in Ethiopia During School Reopening

Abstract

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a great threat to the public. University students living in school compound with groups and sharing a common cafeteria are more susceptible to contract and spread the virus. Risk perception multiplies fear and anxiety that triggers precautionary action. However, research is scant in this particular field. Objective: To assess the perceived risk of COVID-19 and its associated factors among University Students in Northeast Ethiopia during school reopening. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 682 Debre Berhan University students from December 1-15, 2020, when students just get back to school. Data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were run to summarize the results. Results: The overall perceived risk of COVID-19 was 296 (43.4%), 95% CI (39.4-47.4). Age (AOR (CI) =3.27 (1.87-5.71), open relationship (AOR (CI) =3.17 (1.73-5.79), fathers' education (AOR (CI) =2.29 (1.31-4.02), having diabetes (AOR (CI) =2.64 (1.15-6.07), and information source from ministry of health (MOH) (AOR (CI) =1.87 (1.27-2.75) had significantly high-risk perception. However, students who use Facebook (AOR (CI) =0.57 (0.39-0.82) and Websites/ articles (AOR (CI) =0.14 (0.06-0.34) had significantly low-risk perception. Television (59.8%) and Telegram (66.6%) were the primary sources of information, while the World Health Organization (68.3%) was the most trusted source of information. Conclusion: University students perceived a low risk towards COVID-19 pandemics at the time of school resumption. It was influenced by students' demographic characteristics, comorbidities, social media, and information sources. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education should properly promote risk communication among university students.

Face mask use and associated factors among students in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This perception could impact correct face mask usage and uptake of other SOPs. However, our findings don't corroborate those in studies conducted in south Western Ethiopia (53.4%), Ghana (68.3%) and Sierra Leone (75%) (Asefa et al, 2020, Serwaa et al, 2020, Tadese et al, 2021 which indicated higher risk perceptions. Our findings show the need for more efforts toward sensitization of students in rural areas on their risk and susceptibility to COVID-19.…”

COVID-19-related knowledge, risk perception, information seeking, and adherence to preventive behaviors among undergraduate students, southern Iran

“…The findings of our study contradicted the research results of Mants’ study, which found that 96.5% of Canadian university students rated COVID-19 as moderately or very severe (Mant et al 2021 ). The disparity in risk perceptions could be attributed to differences in the study population, study period, data collection tool and procedures, and the level of virus spread across countries and communities (Tadese et al 2021 ).…”

Risk perception and preventive behaviours of COVID-19 among university students, Gondar, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…The use of COVID-19 preventive measures was 96.4%, 95.4%, 94.1% and 84.3% in Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, respectively 8–11. In Africa, COVID-19 preventive behaviour was 88.8%, 92% and 56.8% in Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia, respectively 12–14…”