Assessing the response towards Covid-19 SOPs among the students at the School of Statistics and planning, Makerere University

Abstract

The study was to assess the response towards covid-19 SOPs among the students at school of statistics and planning, Makerere University and it was guided by the following specific objectives; to assess the responses towards Covid-19 SOPs among Students. In order to achieve this, four study objectives were used that is examining student`s knowledge towards covid-19 SOPs among Students, examining student`s attitude towards covid-19 SOPs among Students, examining student`s practice towards covid-19 SOPs among Students and examining the relationship between Knowledge, Practice and the selected socio-economic factors. A cross-sectional survey was deemed most appropriate to gather information on Covid-19 for the students at school of statistics and planning. Data collection was performed online using google docs. The call for participation was made on social media. Variables considered were; education, age, residence, economic status, religion, gender, course offered. Data processing was done using Stata and analysis was done at a level univariate, bivariate and multivariate. Study findings indicated that there was a significant statistical association between attitude and course offered, Place of residence, economic status had a significant statistical association with practice towards Covid-19 SOPs set by ministry of health. This could be due to the fact that students from rich families can avoid unnecessary movements compared to students from the poor families. The purchasing power of students from rich families is higher compared to students from poor families hence ease in acquiring of face masks, moving with personal sanitizer. Considering the study findings, majority of the respondents were knowledgeable about Covid-19 SOPs hence reducing the risk of students being victims to Covid-19. Therefore, the study recommends provision of free face masks to students and distribution of sanitizers to all entrances in the university, schools, colleges, administration blocks and offices in order to minimize the spread through contamination of surfaces.