Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sars-COV-2 among Students in Private Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria
Sylvia Ngozi Okoro *
School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
Clement, Emmanuel Etim
School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
David, Joshua
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Abolurin, Boluwatife Seth
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Owhonda, Golden
Rivers State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
Ordinioha, Best
School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 prompted an early and sustained worldwide public health response. Its proclivity for rapid transmission and relatively high fatality rate across global regions prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to proclaim it a global pandemic. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence, and factors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among students in private universities in Rivers State.
Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study
Aims: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and its associated factors among private university students.
Materials and Methods: 431 participants were tested for SARS CoV-2 using GeneXpert Dx System's reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Self-administered questionnaires were also distributed to elicit responses from these participants. Descriptive statistics (percentages and proportions) were used to report findings.
Results: A response rate of 96% was recorded (431 correctly completed questionnaires retrieved). Out of the 431 participants tested, 425(98.6%) were negative while 6(1.4%) were positive bringing the prevalence rate to 1.4%. The majority (90.3%) don’t use facemasks when a lecturer is not in class, and 60.6% of the participants indicated inadequate provision for hand washing equipment, and sanitizers in the laboratories for students.
Conclusion: This study showed a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among private university students and poor compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
Keywords: Prevalence, COVID-19 prevalence, SARS CoV-2, COVID-19, associated factors