| dc.description.abstract | Public health is in danger globally due to the COVID-2019 pandemic, a highly
contagious illness. This has had far-reaching effects on the educational experience of
students worldwide in different regions, not only those attending technical institutions.
The goal of this research was to determine how well students understand and implement
strategies to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using guidance from the
World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), descriptive cross-sectional research was conducted using a questionnaire.
Students in 3 technical institutions in Kakamega County were randomly selected to be
studied. These institutions included Bukura Agricultural College, The Sigalagala
National Polytechnic and Shamberere Technical institute. A self-administered
questionnaire was used to gather information from randomly selected students. It was
determined whether or not there was a statistically significant correlation between
knowledge, attitude, and practices and other socio-demographic factors by using chisquare
testing. Using binary logistic regression, we were able to isolate and adjust for any
confounding variables. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis (version 26). According
to the respondents' demographic information, the vast majority of participants were male.
Participants' average age was 24years or less (50.3%) of the sample exhibited good
knowledge level. Generally, 42.6% of those polled had heard of COVID-19 and
understood that it is a respiratory virus. 76.5 % and 88.8 % of replies, respectively,
incorrectly thought that consuming hot drinks and eating garlic and pickles were the ideal
preventative techniques to avoiding COVID-19. Male students had less COVID-19
knowledge than female students (OR = 0.54, p = 0.01), suggesting that gender plays a
role in students' exposure to and understanding of the virus. The aggregated attitude items
showed that 63.5% of people had a favorable outlook. 66% of those polled were
concerned about a member of their immediate family contracting COVID-19. It was
revealed that students with good knowledge level (GKL) had a considerably lower rate
of anxiety (28.2%, p = 0.015). Of those surveyed, 54.1% were found to regularly engage
in at least six health-related behaviors, such as hand-washing and other forms of personal
cleanliness (70.7%) and the use of face masks (51%). The data indicated that unfavorable
habits were significantly lower among female than male (OR = 0.323, p 0.001). Age and
academic year were also shown to have a role in the respondents' habits. Knowledge was
shown to have a positive association with attitudes (r =.48, p .001), while attitudes were
found to have a positive correlation with behaviors (r =.23, p .001). Overall, the survey
found that more than half of respondents had enough understanding, and that those with
higher levels of expertise were more inclined to go to the appropriate authorities for help.
Over half of respondents were found to adhere to at least six habits, and characteristics
impacting respondents' practices included age and study year. To further understand
cultural similarities and variations, the study suggests that future research poll a larger
sample of students and those from other nations. From there, we may be able to determine
whether or not there are any substantive philosophical differences between students in
Kenya and those in other countries.” | en_US |
