Knowledge, perceptions and practices adopted by a university community in Southeastern Brazil in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Educación para la salud en la pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Faced with the most serious public health threat of the 21st century, several actions have been suggested worldwide to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.

Objective: To understand which of these actions have been assimilated, here we evaluated the knowledge, perceptions, and practices acquired and/or improved by undergraduate students.

Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at a public university in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed through university social networks between November 3 and December 18, 2020. The questionnaire, comprising 64 questions, assessed students' knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to COVID-19. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis.

Results: Of 207 participants, 59.4% have worked outside the home during the study period. However, most students claimed to have respected social isolation, worn masks, and had appropriate hygiene practices. Most students intend to maintain prevention/control practices, which were mostly learned from social media, after the pandemic ends. Students were optimistic about the control of COVID-19 in the near future, but many have claimed to be mentally shaken and unmotivated. Most endorse vaccination and are against applying treatments without scientific evidence.

Conclusion: This study provides a novel insight into the perceptions and practices of university students from various academic disciplines in Brazil regarding COVID-19. The findings underscore the ongoing need for targeted interventions addressing both the physical and mental health challenges faced by university students, which remain relevant even after the end of the pandemic.