Perception of University students towards National Efforts at Controlling COVID-19 Pandemics, The Practice of Prevention Measures and its Associated Factors During School Reopening

Abstract Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the whole communities, including students. University students are more dynamic and energetic than older ones so that they are more susceptible to contract and spread the virus. Up-to-date information about the disease, preventive methods, its spread, and government-issued advisories are crucial for containing an outbreak. Thus, the study aimed to assess the perception of students towards national efforts at controlling COVID-19 pandemics, the practice of prevention measures, and its associated factors during school reopening, Northeast Ethiopia.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Debre Berhan University students from December 1 to 15/2020, when students just get back to school. Multistage sampling technique was applied to recruit 682 participants. Epi-Data version 4.6 and SPSS version 25 software was used for data entry and analysis, respectively. The perception and practice of the participants were assessed using a scoring system. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to detect significant (p ≤0.05) predictors of COVID-19 prevention practice.Result: The overall high perception and good practice of prevention behaviors were 32%, 95% CI (28.8–35.2), and 37.5%, 95% CI (33.7–41.2), respectively. Being female (AOR (CI) =1.67(1.17-2.37), rural residence (AOR (CI)= 1.56(1.07-2.29), fathers’ education (AOR (CI)= 1.94(1.06-3.56), having respiratory disease (AOR (CI)= 2.81(1.32-5.95), and information source from YouTube (AOR (CI)= 1.87(1.19-2.91) were significant factors of COVID-19 prevention practice. Besides, high perception towards national efforts at controlling COVID-19 (AOR (CI)= 2.94(2.04-4.25) was positively associated with the practice of prevention measures.Conclusion: During school reopening, most students had a low perception towards national efforts at controlling COVID-19 and poor prevention practice. Socio-demographics, having a chronic illness, information source, and perception towards national efforts were factors of COVID-19 prevention practice. Thus, raising the perception about the national efforts, promoting precautionary measures, managing chronic illnesses, and disseminating information through YouTubes are critical to prevent and control COVID-19 among students during school reopening.