KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTAINMENT MEASURES AMONG STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

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.”