Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Covid-19 Among Tertiary Level Students in Blantyre Urban
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Date
2022-06-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
This is a quantitative cross-sectional study aimed at analyzing the
relationship between knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19
transmission and its prevention among tertiary level students in Blantyre
urban. The study will specifically estimate the level of knowledge on
COVID-19 among tertiary level students, assess their attitude and practices
related to COVID-19 and also identify determinant factors that influence
knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 among the students.
The study will employ a two-stage sampling technique consisting of the
selection of schools and students. The participating institutions will be
selected using a simple cluster sampling approach, with participants from the
schools being selected using a convenience method. Two institutions will be
selected and used for the study with an appropriate sample size of 102
participants. Data will be collected through questionnaires and will be
managed using password protected computers and analyzed using Microsoft
excel spreadsheet and presented in form of graphs, proportions and tables.
This study is expected to find disparities in knowledge, attitude and practices
among the tertiary level students related to COVID-19 transmission and how
those differences influence its prevention. The results will be presented on
the 4th year research dissemination day in 2022/2023 academic year through
student’s presentations. Results will also be submitted to College of Medicine
Research Ethic Committee, the Health Sciences Research Committee.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
BROAD OBJECTIVES
1. To analyze the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practices
related to covid 19 transmission and its prevention.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
1. To estimate the level of knowledge on COVID-19 among university
school students
2. To assess attitudes and practices on COVID-19 among university school
students
3. To identify determinant factors that influence knowledge, attitudes and
practices related to COVID-19
4. To explore students’ perceptions on covid 19 vaccination
METHODOLOGY
TYPE OF STUDY DESIGN
This is a quantitative cross sectional study design. Quantitative study because
quantitative data collection instruments fit diversity and produce results that
are easy to summarize, compare and generalize. A cross sectional study design
will be used because multiple variables will be studied at the same time and
data will be collected at one point in time.
STUDY POPULATION
This study will include KUHES and MUBAS students
Inclusion criteria:Students that are above 18 years old will be eligible to participate in this
study, irrespective of the year or program of study that they are enrolled in.
Exclusion criteria:
All those that are below 18 years of age and are not part of the designated
institutions.
STUDY PLACE
The study will take place in KUHES and MUBAS Schools in Blantyre urban.
We chose KUHES and MUBAS for the following reasons:
• Students from these two institutions are a unique target population for
our study because of their diversities in their cultural, social and
traditional backgrounds.
• They represent a group with different knowledge on health issues as
KUHES is a medical university and MUBAS is not.
• They can also be a source of increased health awareness and health
education not only for themselves but also for those around them as
they take part in the dissemination of pandemic-related knowledge
supporting the prevention and control of the pandemic.
• Ease of access and proximity as the two universities are near therefore
reducing transport costs and minimizing our budget.
SAMPLE SIZE
The sample size for the study was calculated using the formula below:
n=z2p(1-p) /e2
where:
n = sample size for the study
z = the coefficient at a given level of confidence, which we set, at 90% level
of confidence, Z=1.65.
p = the Prevalence, since it is unknown, we set it to 50%
e = Margin of error (allowed error) which we set to 8.2%
Calculations:
n = 1.652 (0.5) (1-0.5)
0.0822
n = 2.7225(0.5) (1-0.5)
0.0822
n = 0.6806
0.0067
n=102
Our calculated sample size will be 102 participants, of which we will divide
it by two so that each of the two institutions should have half of the total
number of participants. Therefore, from each of the two institutions, there
will be 51 participants.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
The study will adopt a two-stage sampling technique consisting of the
selection of schools and students. For the primary sampling unit, the study
will use simple cluster sampling based on the list of universities in Blantyre
urban, two schools will be selected (using this primary technique we already
selected KUHES and MUBAS). Within each selected school, sample of
students will be selected using a non-probability sampling approach, namely
convenience sampling.
Reasons:
• We employed cluster sampling method in this study because it allows
reduced economy when carrying out research.
• We also used the convenience approach because it is cheap and ease of
accessibility and proximity of the study participants to the researcher.
STUDY PERIOD
The study will be done in a period of 6 weeks with first week being dedicated
for seeking permission to conduct the study at the designated schools, then 3
weeks for data collection and analysis. After that a week will be dedicated for
report preparation and submission and the other final week for dissemination
of the results of the research at the students’ presentations.
DATA COLLECTION
Data will be collected by the investigators from the designated schools in a
period of 2 weeks. Self-administered questionnaires will be used to obtain
data from participants. It includes multiple choice questions and Likert
scales.
DATA MANAGEMENT, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
Data will be transcribed from the questionnaires into Microsoft excel sheet
and epi info 7. It is from the excel sheet and epi info 7 where all analysis will
be derived to calculate descriptive statistics such as counts and percentages to
show socio- demographic characteristics. Pearson product moment
correlation will be used to establish relationships between knowledge,
attitudes and practices. Data results will be presented in form of pie charts,
tables and graphs.
DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS
The results of our research will be presented at the end of our 4th year
research rotation in the 2022/2023 academic year. Copies will be submitted
to COMREC, the Health Sciences Research Committee, College of Medicine
Library, URPC and Malawi Medical Journals.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Covid-19