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Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, and behavior related to the corona (COVID-19) pandemic among university students in Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Holden, Stein T.

    (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences)

  • Katengeza, Samson

    (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences)

  • Tione, Sarah

    (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences)

  • Tilahun, Mesfin

    (Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences)

Abstract

This study is based on a survey of 764 students at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi. It aims to provide evidence on the extent of exposure to the pandemic among university students, their knowledge and beliefs related to the corona virus and the ways they protect themselves against getting infected, the sources of information that they rely on, and other factors influencing their knowledge, beliefs, and behavior. The study was undertaken in the period of February-March 2022 during which the fourth wave of the pandemic in the country took place and in this period the omicron variant of the virus dominated. We investigate factors associated with the extent of knowledge about the corona virus and COVID risk perceptions, information updating behavior, preferences for alternative protective measures, especially vaccination and use of facemasks. We also assessed beliefs about the effects of vaccination, trust in vaccines, and passive and active demand for vaccination. Finally, we investigate facemask use intensity and factors influencing the likelihood of infection and COVID-19 disease based on subjective self-reported experiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Holden, Stein T. & Katengeza, Samson & Tione, Sarah & Tilahun, Mesfin, 2022. "Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, and behavior related to the corona (COVID-19) pandemic among university students in Malawi," CLTS Working Papers 7/22, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Centre for Land Tenure Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nlsclt:2022_007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Dryhurst & Claudia R. Schneider & John Kerr & Alexandra L. J. Freeman & Gabriel Recchia & Anne Marthe van der Bles & David Spiegelhalter & Sander van der Linden, 2020. "Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7-8), pages 994-1006, August.
    2. Mistree, Dinsha & Loyalka, Prashant & Fairlie, Robert & Bhuradia, Ashutosh & Angrish, Manyu & Lin, Jason & Karoshi, Amar & Yen, Sara J. & Mistri, Jamsheed & Bayat, Vafa, 2021. "Instructional interventions for improving COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, behaviors: Evidence from a large-scale RCT in India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    3. Sikandar Ali Qalati∗ & Naveed Ahmed & Jinlan Mei & Troung Thi Hong Thu & Jan Muhammad Sohu, 2020. "Stay Home Stay Safe: General Public Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior Regarding Covid-19 During the Lockdown in Developing Countries," International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Mohammad Hamad Al-khresheh, vol. 6(2), pages 69-77.
    4. Jay J. Van Bavel & Katherine Baicker & Paulo S. Boggio & Valerio Capraro & Aleksandra Cichocka & Mina Cikara & Molly J. Crockett & Alia J. Crum & Karen M. Douglas & James N. Druckman & John Drury & Oe, 2020. "Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 460-471, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corona; COVID-19; pandemic; university students; knowledge; beliefs; behavior.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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