Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Background: The World Health Organization recommends using a face mask to prevent infection with the coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19). Students are often nonchalant about maintaining physical or social distance from their peers, undermining the necessity of wearing a face mask both inside and out...

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Main Authors: Otovwe Agofure, Blessing Ohikhokhai, Fortunatus Gbeinbo, Oghenenioborue R. Okandeji-Barry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ntec Specialist 2022-01-01
Series:Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ajol.info/index.php/kjms/article/view/236571/223530
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author Otovwe Agofure
Blessing Ohikhokhai
Fortunatus Gbeinbo
Oghenenioborue R. Okandeji-Barry
author_facet Otovwe Agofure
Blessing Ohikhokhai
Fortunatus Gbeinbo
Oghenenioborue R. Okandeji-Barry
author_sort Otovwe Agofure
collection DOAJ
description Background: The World Health Organization recommends using a face mask to prevent infection with the coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19). Students are often nonchalant about maintaining physical or social distance from their peers, undermining the necessity of wearing a face mask both inside and outside of the classroom. The purpose of this study was to determine the students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the use of face masks at Novena University in Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 400 sampled students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data at a significance level set at p less than 0.05. Results: About 220(55.0%) of the responders were between the ages of 21-25 years, and 260(65.0%) were females. The majority of responders, 340 (85.0%), had a good understanding of how to utilize a face mask. However, both attitudes towards using face masks 280(70.0%) and face mask usage 340(85.0%) were poor. The following demographic characteristics were shown to be substantially linked with knowledge, attitude, and use of face masks: age, sex, marital status, level of study, and religion at p less than 0.05. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents had an adequate understanding of how to use a face mask, a negative attitude about using a face mask, and poor practice of using a face mask to prevent COVID-19 infection. The study recommends the need for public health enlightenment campaign and education on the value and correct face mask usage among students in tertiary institutions.
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spelling doaj.art-e1523741263646f1acc979de876d491d2022-12-22T04:23:50ZengNtec SpecialistKanem Journal of Medical Sciences2006-47722714-24262022-01-011524757doi.org/10.36020/kjms.2022.1601.00620221Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in NigeriaOtovwe Agofure0Blessing Ohikhokhai1Fortunatus Gbeinbo2Oghenenioborue R. Okandeji-Barry3Department of Public, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State NigeriaDepartment of Public and Community Health, Novena University Ogume, Delta State NigeriaDepartment of Public and Community Health, Novena University Ogume, Delta State NigeriaDepartment of Health and Social Care, Waltham International College, United KingdomBackground: The World Health Organization recommends using a face mask to prevent infection with the coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19). Students are often nonchalant about maintaining physical or social distance from their peers, undermining the necessity of wearing a face mask both inside and outside of the classroom. The purpose of this study was to determine the students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the use of face masks at Novena University in Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 400 sampled students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data at a significance level set at p less than 0.05. Results: About 220(55.0%) of the responders were between the ages of 21-25 years, and 260(65.0%) were females. The majority of responders, 340 (85.0%), had a good understanding of how to utilize a face mask. However, both attitudes towards using face masks 280(70.0%) and face mask usage 340(85.0%) were poor. The following demographic characteristics were shown to be substantially linked with knowledge, attitude, and use of face masks: age, sex, marital status, level of study, and religion at p less than 0.05. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents had an adequate understanding of how to use a face mask, a negative attitude about using a face mask, and poor practice of using a face mask to prevent COVID-19 infection. The study recommends the need for public health enlightenment campaign and education on the value and correct face mask usage among students in tertiary institutions.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/kjms/article/view/236571/223530attitudecovid-19face maskknowledgepracticestudents
spellingShingle Otovwe Agofure
Blessing Ohikhokhai
Fortunatus Gbeinbo
Oghenenioborue R. Okandeji-Barry
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria
Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences
attitude
covid-19
face mask
knowledge
practice
students
title Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria
title_full Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria
title_fullStr Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria
title_short Knowledge, Attitude and Practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria
title_sort knowledge attitude and practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of covid 19 among students of a private tertiary institution in nigeria
topic attitude
covid-19
face mask
knowledge
practice
students
url https://www.ajol.info/index.php/kjms/article/view/236571/223530
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