Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Judith S. Rabacal
- . Samson M. Lausa
- . Renante A. Egcas
- . Ryan Michael F. Oducado 1
- . Jerome V. Cleofas 2
- . Khen A. Tamdang 3
1 College of Nursing, West Visayas State University, Iloilo, Philippines
2 Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
3 Highschool Department, Assumption Iloilo Inc., Iloilo, Philippines
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The exponential increase of cases and the emergence of the new COVID‑19
variants continue to be a challenge. It remains crucial to assess whether or not minimum health
standards against COVID‑19 are consistently followed. This study determined the higher education
students’ practice of protective measures against COVID‑19 of more than a year into the pandemic.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire web survey, cross‑sectional study was conducted
among higher education students (n = 2309) of a public university in the Philippines. Data were
analyzed using the SPSS software.
RESULTS: Results indicated that students generally had a high practice of COVID‑19 preventive
measures. However, only 45.9% always practice physical distancing measures, and only 35.9%
always seek information related to COVID‑19 after more than a year into the pandemic. Female,
married, graduate level, with a monthly family income of PHP 10,000 and above, and personal
knowledge of someone who tested for COVID‑19 had a significantly higher practice of COVID‑19
protective measures. Older age, higher general self‑reported health status, and higher intention
to comply with recommended protective health behaviors were significantly correlated with higher
practice of preventive measures against COVID‑19.
CONCLUSION: After more than a year of being into the pandemic, students still practice preventive
health behaviors, however, this is not done consistently. As the pandemic is still not over in the country
and many parts of the world, continuous monitoring and a reminder to practice minimum protective
health protocols are needed to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID‑19.
Keywords
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