Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Misconceptions on COVID-19 among Students of Tertiary Institution in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and misconceptions related to COVID-19 among students at Imo State University, Nigeria. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges worldwide, including among university students in Nigeria. A total of 194 valid questionnaires were analyzed, representing diverse age groups, genders, faculties, and years of study. The results revealed that the majority of respondents (63.5%) were aged 18-20, with good knowledge of COVID-19 (95.8%) and its symptoms and mode of transmission (89.18%). However, some misconceptions were noted, with a significant number believing in conspiracy theories. Students demonstrated positive attitudes by adhering to social distancing measures (74.36%) and avoiding social gatherings (88.83%) during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the practice of physical distancing was less consistent (22.35%). The pandemic had a substantial negative impact on students' academic performance (86.36%), but online learning was prevalent (94.18%). The study recommends continuous health education, addressing misconceptions, and implementing clear guidelines for preventive practices on campus to create a safer environment during health crises.

Keywords: COVID-19, Knowledge. University students, Imo State