Readiness and Intention for Adapting New Normal COVID-19 Prevention Campaign for Sustainable Response Among Debre Berhan University Student’s During Campus Re-Entry: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the general healthcare system and higher education worldwide. Adapting to the culture of “new normal,” an emerging response to COVID-19, is crucial for public health recovery and learning. This study investigated students' readiness and intention for adapting to the ‘‘new normal’’ COVID-19 prevention campaign during campus re-entry in Debre Berhan university in Ethiopia after the country eases lockdown restrictions.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 20th to 30th January 2021, among graduate students in Debre Berhan university, Ethiopia. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 423 participants. A structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data and bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to interpret the strength of association and the statistical significance level was declared at a p-value of ≤0.05.Result: In this study 423 participants were involved. The level of readiness and intention of adapting to the ‘‘new normal’’ prevention campaign were 49.4 and 54.8% respectively. Being a health science student (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.81), being married (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.1, 4.05), having a smartphone (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.12), and being knowledgeable towards COVID-19 (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.34) were found to be significant factors associated with intention towards adapting to the ‘‘new normal’’ prevention practice. Also, the main reason why participants had no intention to carry out the ‘‘new normal’’ prevention campaign were a shortage of quality required preventive supplies (60%) and those who perceived themselves personally not at risk of COVID-19 (31.3%).Conclusion: In this study, although information on the COVID-19 outbreak is continually evolving, readiness and intention for adapting to the ‘‘new normal’’ COVID-19 prevention campaign were insufficient. It is critical to improve readiness and intention through increasing knowledge and emphasizing the importance of new technologies and handy protective supplies that may encourage the sustainable practice of new norms post-pandemic.

Predicting nursing students' intention to attend face‐to‐face classes on school reopening: A theory of planned behavior application

“…15 Considering that the COVID-19 global outbreak has created a negative impact and heightened fear among nursing students, [16][17][18] understanding the key factors that influence students' intention to attend face-to-face classes is important as schools prepare for the safe re-entry of students in campuses. 10 This study can provide a better understanding of the potential factors that contribute to the intention of nursing students to attend face-to-face instruction after almost 2 years of distance learning.…”

“…9 Reopening of schools is considered to be a possible approach that governments may use to start reversing learning deficits and ensure that learners and students are not left out in COVID-19 response strategies and plans. 2,10 School reopening must be planned deliberately following national and international protocols to safeguard the safety of faculty and students. 11 While some countries have reopened their schools, the threat of new COVID-19 variants like the Omicron is causing school systems to again stop inperson learning.…”

Una revisión sistemática del uso educativo de teléfonos móviles en tiempos de COVID-19

“…Finalmente, y más relacionado con políticas públicas de educación y salud, Taye et al (2021), investigando sobre la necesidad de adaptación a la "nueva normalidad" mediante una campaña de prevención en Etiopía, encontraron como factores asociados a la realización de la campaña el ser estudiante de ciencias de la salud, tener conocimiento sobre COVID-19 y tener teléfono móvil. Las razones principales por las que los participantes no estaban dispuestos a realizar la campaña eran la escasez de suministros preventivos y la ausencia de percepción de riesgo.…”

Academic Use of Smartphones in Secondary Level Education in Bangladesh: A Non-Parametric Approach

“…The questionnaire, designed and refined by professionals in quantitative research, consisted of 28 questions categorized into four areas: sociodemographic data, using a smartphone for academic purposes, challenges and limitations of smartphone usage, and the participation of GOs, NGOs, and institutions. The sample size for this study was calculated using a single proportion formula based on the following assumptions: 50% of students expressed a desire to utilize COVID-19 prevention measures, with a 95% level of confidence and a 5% margin of error [52]. Where N represents the required sample size, α denotes the level of significance, z represents the value on the standard normal distribution curve for a 95% confidence level (which is 1.96), p represents the proportion of intention for adapting to the "new normal" COVID-19 prevention practice, and d represents the margin of error.…”