Dataset Information

University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19.

Method

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 103 lecturers and students both men and women of age group 18 to 69 years in western Uganda. Data were obtained through a pretested questionnaire availed online.

Results

Knowledge on COVID-19 symptoms was highest in this order: fever > dry cough > difficulty breathing > fatigue > headache with no significant differences between lecturers and students. Knowledge of participants on transmission of COVID-19 was highest in the order of cough drops > contaminated surfaces > person-to-person contact > asymptomatic persons > airborne > zoonotic with no significant differences among lecturers and students. Lecturers and students were all willing to continue using personal protective equipment like masks, and personal practices such as covering the mouth while sneezing and coughing, no handshaking, and washing of hands with no significant differences in the responses. The positive attitudes that COVID-19 could kill, anyone can get COVID-19, and willing to abide by the set regulations against the pandemic showed personal concerns and desired efforts against COVID-19.

Conclusion

The study identifies lecturers and students as potential stakeholders in the fight against community transmission of COVID-19.

SUBMITTER: Echoru I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7383606 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda.

Echoru Isaac I Kasozi Keneth Iceland KI Usman Ibe Michael IM Mutuku Irene Mukenya IM Ssebuufu Robinson R Ajambo Patricia Decanar PD Ssempijja Fred F Mujinya Regan R Matama Kevin K Musoke Grace Henry GH Ayikobua Emmanuel Tiyo ET Ninsiima Herbert Izo HI Dare Samuel Sunday SS Eze Ejike Daniel ED Bukenya Edmund Eriya EE Keyune Nambatya Grace G MacLeod Ewan E Welburn Susan Christina SC

Health services insights 20200724

<h4>Background</h4>The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.<h4>Aim</h4>The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19.<h4>Method</h4>Th ...[more]

PMID: 32782429

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Project description:Objective: This study aimed to assess the undergraduates' and lecturers' perspectives on the implementation of online learning and to compare perspectives between private and public universities. Materials and methods: The study followed a mixed-method design and involved dental undergraduates and lecturers from two study settings in Malaysia: International Medical University (IMU), a private university, and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), a public university. All undergraduates and lecturers were invited to complete an online questionnaire with evaluative statements regarding three domains: handling, didactic benefit, motivation, and an overall assessment. The comparison of perception between the private and public universities was analyzed using Mann-Whitney test. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out for undergraduates and lecturers. Each FGD consisted of six people. The audio-recorded conversations were transcribed verbatim. Results: Mean scores of perceptions regarding the domains, handling, and motivation were higher among undergraduates from public universities (p < 0.05), while there were no differences for the didactic domain. There was no difference in perception of any of the three domains between private and public university lecturers. Mean scores for perceptions on the optimal amount of online learning in the future domains were higher among undergraduates from a public university (p < 0.05), while lecturers' perceptions showed no difference. Thematic analysis of FGDs revealed that both groups from private and public universities felt that flexibility and a student-centered approach are the advantages of online learning. The inadequacy to cover the entire curriculum and lack of student engagement and interaction were highlighted as limitations. Conclusion: Regardless of the university background, the undergraduates and lecturers were able to adjust to the online learning environment, which mainly reflected a positive perspective on the implementation of online learning. There were modest differences in the perceptions of dental undergraduates between private and public universities, while the perception of the lecturers did not show any difference.

Project description:BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in dental education, resulting in a shift from face-to-face teaching to online learning. While online learning could be a common strategy in various fields, the challenge for dental education is that it depends on the requirements of clinical experience to achieve competence in performing the dental treatment. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse students' and lecturers' perceptions towards online learning after five semesters of experience using a questionnaire survey.MethodsSince the spring term of 2020, the theoretical part of the curriculum has been conducted in the form of online learning using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. In the following semesters, more theoretical content was shifted back from online learning to face-to-face courses. Preclinical and clinical students enrolled in the dental curriculum during the spring term 2022 semester and all lecturers with at least one year of teaching experience in face-to-face and online learning formats were asked to fill out an online questionnaire regarding the aspects of handling, didactic benefit, motivation, and overall assessment.ResultsStudents and lecturers rated the implementation of online learning as mostly positive, but pointed out that established 'face-to-face' learning could not be replaced. Moreover, the students reported personal benefits in terms of daily planning. Lecturers also benefitted as their experience increased in online teaching. For future curriculum, students demanded 49.5% (25.1) ((mean (standard deviation) of theoretical part in terms of online learning), while lecturers demanded only 34.1% (24.1).ConclusionsDespite having no prior need for online learning, students and lecturers showed a positive perspective on online learning which should be considered in the implementation and planning of future dental education. However, in terms of practical training, it cannot replace face-to-face education in dentistry.

Dataset Information

University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda.

Background

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda.

Similar Datasets

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