KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF FREQUENT HAND WASHING AMONG THE STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI IN REDUCING THE SPREAD OF COVID19

Abstract

This study was one knowledge and practice of frequent hand washing among the student of University of Maiduguri reducing the spread of COVID19. Four objectives were raised which included: To find out the knowledge of University of Maiduguri students on hand washing hygiene during COVID 19, to find out hand washing practice among Maiduguri students during COVID 19, to find out other preventive measure that was taken by students of Maidiguri student during COVID 19 and to find out the challenges of students during COVID19 time. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up of final year students, year 4 students, year 3 students and year 2 students man were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 named COVID-19 has become a major public health challenge. Since the detection of the first case, the disease has shown exponential growth affecting a majority of the countries. Hence, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11th March 2020. According to the WHO situation report, the disease has resulted in 106,125,682 confirmed cases of infection and 2,320,497 deaths by 9th February, 2021.

COVID-19, as a fast-changing and emerging global health challenge, has impacted all industries since its outbreak in December 2019 (Kassema, 2020; McKibbin & Fernando, 2020). Several studies have been conducted to determine the virological characteristics and clinical effects of COVID-19 (Huang et al., 2020). However, limited studies focused on assessing the knowledge, perceived severity, and controllability of the pandemic. Knowledge and behavioral assessment of such outbreaks are important, particularly because of the massive number of misconceptions and false information circulating on social media about disease transmission and acquisition methods (Mohamad et al., 2020; Geldsetzer, 2020). The management of this pandemic primarily depends on the adherence to the recommended measures taken. For any health preventive measures to be beneficial, a thorough approach must ensure proper education. Good knowledge of coronavirus infection is associated with positive attitudes and effective practices; therefore, concise knowledge of a disease affects individuals’ preventive practices and attitudes (Kok et al., 2008). Thus, a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice study are essential for understanding the level of awareness towards COVID-19 as it provides baseline information to determine the type of intervention that may be required to change misconceptions about the virus (Zhong et al., 2020). In an unprecedented way, COVID-19 has affected all stakeholders in education, especially university students who represent a special group of people characterized by more autonomy and a pressing need to live independently but with limited experiences. University students are in the physical and mental development stage of significant changes. It is also the time in which their perspective on life and the world gradually takes shape. Their understanding of society and self-knowledge is not adequately developed at this point, and they are inexperienced at adjusting to society’s pressure (Zhao et al., 2020). Therefore, their perceptions and behaviors would inevitably be influenced in the face of a major crisis such as a pandemic

Hand washing with soap can reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections by 16% to 23%.WHO and the Nigeria Ministry of Health recommend hand hygiene as one of the essential means to prevent the spread of all infections and in particular COVID 19. Other measures recommended include maintaining social distance, avoiding crowds, practicing respiratory hygiene, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth, keeping up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, self-quarantine, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and seeking medical care in case of symptoms.The promotion of safe hygiene is the single most cost-effective means of preventing infectious disease.During a global pandemic, one of the cheapest, easiest, and most important ways to prevent the spread of a virus is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water (Phan LT, 2020)

The promotion of hand hygiene behavior remains a complex issue.Reasons for non-compliance with recommendations occur at individual, group, and institutional levels.Individual factors such as social cognitive and psychological determinants (ie, knowledge, attitude, intentions, beliefs, and perceptions) provide additional insight into hand hygiene behavior. Perceived barriers to adherence to hand hygiene practice recommendations include inaccessible hand hygiene supplies, forgetfulness, lack of knowledge of guidelines, insufficient time for hand hygiene.Despite considerable efforts, compliance with hand hygiene as a simple infection-control measure remains lowand hygiene is suboptimal in both community and healthcare settings in African countries (WHO, 2021)

Statement of the problem

Several studies have compared different hand hygiene methods in hospital settings. In contrast, few studies have been published on the effect of hand hygiene on bacterial contamination of hands in the community. Maiduguri University, the largest university in Maiduguri is one of the high-risk areas of COVID-19 transmission due to factors like a large student and staff community.The university is surrounded by several communities including slum which is located between the schools. These are high concentration areas with a high risk of community transmission of COVID 19. This research served to identify gaps in the knowledge, attitude, and practices and barriers regarding hand-hygiene among the Maiduguri students.

Objective of the study

The following research objectives will be ascertained;

1. To find out the knowledge of University of Maiduguri students on hand washing hygiene during COVID 19
2. To find out hand washing practice among Maiduguri students during COVID 19
3. To find out other preventive measure that was taken by students of Maidiguri student during COVID 19
4. To find out the challenges of students during COVID19 time

Research Question

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study;

1. What is the knowledge of University of Maiduguri students on hand washing hygiene during COVID 19?
2. Did students of Maiduguri practice hand washing during COVID 19?
3. What are other preventive measures that were taken by students of Maidiguri student during COVID 19?
4. What were the challenges of students during COVID19?

Significance of the study

The study will be very significant to students, lecturers and the general public. The study will give a clear insight on the knowledge and practice of frequent hand washing among student of University of Maiduguri in reducing the spread of COVID19. The result of the findings will help educate students and general public the important of hand washing practice in preventing spread of COVID19. The study will also educate us on others preventive measures to taken. The results from this study are very useful in paving a way for comprehensive intervention for successful behavior change programs on measures for the implementation of proper hand hygiene. The study will also serve as reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic

Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers the knowledge and practice of frequent hand washing among student of University of Maiduguri in reducing the spread ofCOVID19. The study will be limited to students of University of Maiduguri

Limitation of the study

Limitations/constraints are inevitable in carrying out a research work of this nature. However, in the course of this research, the following constraints were encountered thus:

Non-availability of enough resources (finance): A work of this nature is very tasking financially, money had to be spent at various stages of the research such resources which may aid proper carrying out of the study were not adequately available.

Time factor: The time used in carrying out the research work is relatively not enough to bring the best information out of it. However, I hope that the little that is contained in this study will go a long way in solving many greater problems

Definition of terms

Knowledge: The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association

Practice: The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it.

Hand washing practice: Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene commonly referred to as “WASH,” can virtually eliminate waterborne diseases. The three components of WASH are grouped together because of their interdependence; one cannot be fully realized without the other

COVID19: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus

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