COVID-19 prevention efforts at Al-Zahraa University in the eyes of the students: A cross-sectional study from Iraq

Introduction

Almost every country’s higher education institution closed in the first half of 2020 because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. University officials have had to decide if and how to safely reintroduce students, workers, and professors to campus.¹ Planning efficient educational interventions for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and raising awareness of the health dangers brought on by this disease should take into account knowledge, perception, and preventative behavior.²

The pandemic has revolutionized the way people throughout the world study and teach. Online tools such as webinars, enabled by WebEx and its counterparts, are currently being used to replace the traditional face-to-face method of tuition.³

Technology has pervaded every aspect of our lives, and education is no different. The latent purpose of maintaining social distancing is likely to be one of the primary reasons for students enrolling in online courses during the pandemic era.⁴

The World Health Organization identified several basic measures that undertaken up to Sep 2021 that must be adopted in the effort to control and contain the virus. The procedures involved areas such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette, surface cleaning, social distancing, and recommendations around large gatherings.⁵

The pandemic, with its impact on morbidity and mortality rates, has affected the lives of people all over the world. As such, understandings of human behaviour and an ongoing assessment of knowledge, are crucial in the overall attempt to contain it.⁶

Fear, worry, and tension are all natural reactions to perceived or actual risks, uncertainty, and the unknown. People’s terror in the face of the pandemic is thus understandable.⁷

In the field of nursing, studies indicate that nurses face issues regarding management, the work environment, family cross-infection, the risk of self-infection, assault, emotional & physical energy drains, and psychological stress. Providing them with the training to work in isolation units is essential, keeping in mind that they may suffer from psychological exhaustion.⁸ Immunization programs and coverage are critical for protecting people of all ages from the debilitating and potentially life-threatening impacts of infectious illnesses.⁹ Protection from infectious diseases is one of the most valuable benefits any country can offer its citizens. Vaccination is a preventive method contributing to lower mortality and morbidity rates.¹⁰

The rapid spread of the pandemic has caused deep concern among healthcare professionals worldwide. The most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 outbreak should be available to all healthcare professionals.¹¹

The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning COVID-19 will determine a society’s willingness to accept behavioral change initiatives introduced by health authorities.¹² It has been noted that the imposition of lockdowns to help control the spread of COVID-19 resulted in unusual behavior by some consumers, affecting the ability of large corporations to operate in the market.¹³ Hoarding of food and toilet paper is one instance of unusual retail consumer behavior that was documented.

The safety of the students and staff is a top priority at Al-Zahraa University in Karbala, Iraq.

This article focuses on the efficacy of the Covid-19 prevention and control measures at the university, through a study looking at the students’ thoughts. Social distancing, environmental disinfection procedures, awareness campaigns, and medical care are just a few of the topics explored. In this way, the study seeks to provide insight into pandemic response strategies in Iraqi higher education – to enable improvements where applicable. This study explores the perspectives of students on COVID-19 prevention strategies at universities.

Methods

A total of 182 health and medical technology students from the X-ray section of Al-Zahraa University for Women took part in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. A questionnaire was designed and then distributed to the students through a Google Classroom. These classroom sites serve as official communication routes between academic schools and students. The study questionnaire received a 100% response rate, and the data were collected and analyzed.

The research and data collection took place between January and September 2021. An academic class representative was active in disseminating the questionnaire link to the students. The responses were retrieved as Excel files from the electronic form of a questionnaire (a Google form) and imported into S.P.S.S. version 23 for analysis. This study uses rates and percentages to assess and contrast the findings with findings from other, similar studies. The questionnaire related to COVID-19 prevention efforts at Al-Zahraa University for Women and employed a multiple choice format. The Questionnaire was formed based on other similar studies and reviewed many articles and research. The questionnaire was comprised of three tables, with a total of 18 questions. In addition to Arabic, the questionnaire was also written in English. The demographic data obtained during the study included the age, marital status, and current living situation of the students.

Results

Table 1 shows the participants’ demographic characteristics. 53 (29.1%) were 20 years old; 145 (79.67%) were unmarried, 33 (18.13%) were married, and 4 (2.19%) separated. The research shows that 151 (82.9%) were resident in Karbala, while 31 (17.1%) lived outside Karbala.

Table 2 shows that those who had had a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 numbered 105 (57.6%). It was found that 48 (26.3%) of the participants had a vaccine refusal history, while 105 (57.6%) had refused COVID-19 vaccination. 21 (11.5%) had a family member who had died because of COVID-19.

As Table 3 shows, 120 (65.9%) students did not think the university applied preventive measures against COVID-19. In addition, in this study, 94 (52%) believed that the university made students wear masks on campus. Regarding social distancing on campus, 161 (88.4%) indicated that it was not enforced. Checking students’ temperatures at the entrance to campus is a COVID-19 prevention measure, yet only 60 (32.9%) students thought it was accomplished. Most students, 158 (86.8%), felt that the teaching staff were committed to COVID-19 prevention. Did the university sanitize the environment before allowing students on site? The answer was Yes for 100 (54.9%) students. In addition, 87(47.8%) of the participants felt that the institution would ensure the isolation of suspected COVID-19 patients. Soap and hand sanitizers were thought to be available in the university’s bathrooms by 98 (53.8%) students. 158 (86.6%) and 116 (63.7%) of the participants, respectively, believed that there were no preventive measures against the coronavirus in the campus cafeteria or on university transportation. 66 (36.2%) students thought electric fans were not available in university classrooms. 63 (34.6%) indicated that the university did not conduct awareness campaigns to prevent COVID-19. Was a vaccine or a nasal swab required for female students to enter the university? 162 (89.0%) answered No. When asked if they accepted remote e-learning or preferred in-person attendance, 110 (60.43%) participants responded that they didn’t support in-person attendance.

Discussion

Across the world, there was a migration to online learning because of school and university closures – an intense process for many institutions, students, instructors, and parents, demanding expertise and speed to prevent losing instructional time.¹⁴ The results may influence the creation of a Covid-19 preventive program for the enhancement of the necessary university prevention measures as well as reducing the spread of the virus.

The researcher could not locate similar studies in the Middle East and other countries because the online switch has led to a lack of academic studies about campus management of COVID-19 prevention procedures.

In this study, 62 (34%) of the students thought that preventive measures were applied at the university. While in Albaqawi² study 45 students (3.7%) knew someone with a confirmed case in their families.

In Shi et al.’s study,¹⁵ the average overall implementation rate of COVID-19 preventive and control measures was 80.0% in Chinese nursing homes – although this figure is in a care home context rather than an educational institution, it is a lot more than in our research.

The responses did not show strict COVID-19 prevention measures at Al-Zahraa University. 158 (86.8%) of the participants believed the teaching staff were committed to such measures – however, 158 (86.8%) did not think they were applied in the university cafeteria, and 88 (48.35%) did not think mask-wearing was enforced. 82 (45%) believed that the university management did not sanitize the campus before students arrived.

According to Freeman et al.’s study,¹⁶ most large educational institutions in the US have implemented masking (n = 93) (100%) and physical distancing rules (99%). De-densification of classrooms was another preventive strategy used (61%). The findings of the Freeman study are unlike those of this research. The university’s administration must concur with or follow the COVID-19 preventative guidelines.

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Zahraa University’s execution of prevention and control measures was found to be weak. The safety of students and employees is a significant priority at the university. Interventions are urgently needed to improve the effectiveness with which social distancing, environmental disinfection procedures, awareness campaigns and medical care are implemented.