Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards COVID - 19 pandemic: A cross - sectional survey study among higher learning institutions (HLIs) students of Tanzania

Abstract

There is paucity on both the level of knowledge about COVID-19 and whether the level of knowledge among students of HLIs is related to their practices regarding measures proposed for prevention against COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyse the level of knowledge, attitude, misconceptions and practices of students in HLIs in order to improve protection measures being undertaken by the students and staff at HLIs. The study employed a cross-sectional research design involving 385 HLIs students who were selected randomly using simple and systematic sampling techniques from four institutions of HLIs in four regions. The data were collected through using a questionnaire and analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby descriptive statistics, Chi-square test were analysed. Results indicate that the general knowledge about COVID-19 was low among students, and it was different between male and female students; female students had relatively lower level of knowledge about COVID-19 compared to their male counterparts. Most students were not aware of how COVID- 19 is transmitted. Most students had positive attitudes towards COVID-19 control. It can be concluded that, generally students had low overall levels of knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19. It is recommended that HLIs should create comprehensive awareness strategies suited to the needs of male and female HLIs students that are urgently needed in the fight against COVID-19.