An Assessment Of Student'S Adherence To Ministry Of Health Covid-19 Protective Measures Amid The Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aimed to assess student’s adherence to ministry of health covid-19 protective measure among the final year students amid the ongoing covid-19 pandemic at The University of Zambia. The Zambian public health challenges arising from effects of not adhering to the COVID-19 by any section of society are yet to be established. However, background information indicates that the world faces the most significant health challenge in history. Thus, the objectives of this study were: i. To assess students practicing of ministry of health covid-19 protective measure. ii. To find out factors influencing students’ adherence to Covid-19 measures iii. To find out challenges faced by students in adhering to ministry of health covid-19 protective measure. iv. To establish possible solution to the challenges faced by students in adhering to the measures. The study design was a qualitative survey. The methodology used was transcendental phenomenology as developed by Edmund Husserl in 1913. Based on a sample of 50 participants, primary data was collected through structured interviews with, health caregivers, lgbti community members, lawyers, judges and lgbti civil society. Secondary data were collected from newspapers, court documents of decided cases, documents, books and the internet. The data obtained was analyzed thematically by coding and grouping it according to common themes. The findings revealed that MoH has provided several guidelines on the preventive measures for COVID-19 of which the respondents were fully aware, of although they had challenges in adhering to them. Among the challenges were institutional, socialization process as well personal accountability. The findings further revealed that despite the government providing sufficient messaging using state media, there was need to use local media as well as local authorities in designing campaign messages. This hence recommended among other things local involvement in all the processes that desires to achieve behavioural change.