Application of SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control measures among university students of a public institution in Ceará, Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Arrais, Paulo Sergio Dourado
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Laurentino, Elias Matias, Linard, Andréa Gomes, Fonteles, Marta Maria, Sousa, Fernando José Pires de, Almeida, Paulo César
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Vigilância Sanitária em Debate
• Texto Completo: https://visaemdebate.incqs.fiocruz.br/index.php/visaemdebate/article/view/1983
• topic: COVID-19; Universidade; Máscara; Higiene das Mãos; Distanciamento Físico; COVID-19; Universitários; Prevenção e Controle; COVID-19; University; Mask; Hand Hygiene; Physical Distancing

Introduction: Universities are favorable environments for the spread of highly transmissible acute respiratory  infections, such as COVID-19. Objective: To evaluate the application of COVID-19 prevention and control measures among students from a public university in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Method: This is a cross-sectional study developed with undergraduate students, regularly enrolled in semester 2020.1, in remote (non-face-to-face) activities. To calculate the sample, a population of 30,152 students was considered, a confidence of 95%, 3% sampling error and 50% expected frequency of use of protection and control measures against COVID-19 (n = 1,031). Of the 2,097 responses received, 360 were lost and 1,737 were analyzed. Data collection was carried out in December 2020, through an electronic questionnaire, available online, for this purpose. A descriptive analysis of the researched aspects was carried out. Results: Although 91.2% of students reported that they always wore a mask when leaving the house, only 1.4% complied with all the  recommendations for its correct handling. 43.3% reported washing their hands according to the recommendations of the health authorities, but others’ personal hygiene measures were insufficient; 65.4% reported that they used to go out to participate in activities that were not of extreme necessity; and 70.0% were public transport users. Conclusions: The evidence found predisposes university students to risks in the face of this pandemic.