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Students’ Views towards Sars-Cov-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Author

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  • Holly Blake

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
    NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Holly Knight

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Ru Jia

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Jessica Corner

    (University Executive Board, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Joanne R. Morling

    (NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
    School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Chris Denning

    (Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Jonathan K. Ball

    (Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
    School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Kirsty Bolton

    (School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Grazziela Figueredo

    (School of Computer Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK)

  • David E. Morris

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Patrick Tighe

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Armando Mendez Villalon

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Kieran Ayling

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Kavita Vedhara

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

Abstract

We aimed to explore university students’ perceptions and experiences of SARS-CoV-2 mass asymptomatic testing, social distancing and self-isolation, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study comprised of four rapid online focus groups conducted at a higher education institution in England, during high alert (tier 2) national COVID-19 restrictions. Participants were purposively sampled university students ( n = 25) representing a range of gender, age, living circumstances (on/off campus), and SARS-CoV-2 testing/self-isolation experiences. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Six themes with 16 sub-themes emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data: ‘Term-time Experiences’, ‘Risk Perception and Worry’, ‘Engagement in Protective Behaviours’, ‘Openness to Testing’, ‘Barriers to Testing’ and ‘General Wellbeing’. Students described feeling safe on campus, believed most of their peers are adherent to protective behaviours and were positive towards asymptomatic testing in university settings. University communications about COVID-19 testing and social behaviours need to be timely and presented in a more inclusive way to reach groups of students who currently feel marginalised. Barriers to engagement with SARS-CoV-2 testing, social distancing and self-isolation were primarily associated with fear of the mental health impacts of self-isolation, including worry about how they will cope, high anxiety, low mood, guilt relating to impact on others and loneliness. Loneliness in students could be mitigated through increased intra-university communications and a focus on establishment of low COVID-risk social activities to help students build and enhance their social support networks. These findings are particularly pertinent in the context of mass asymptomatic testing programmes being implemented in educational settings and high numbers of students being required to self-isolate. Universities need to determine the support needs of students during self-isolation and prepare for the long-term impacts of the pandemic on student mental health and welfare support services.

Suggested Citation

  • Holly Blake & Holly Knight & Ru Jia & Jessica Corner & Joanne R. Morling & Chris Denning & Jonathan K. Ball & Kirsty Bolton & Grazziela Figueredo & David E. Morris & Patrick Tighe & Armando Mendez Vil, 2021. "Students’ Views towards Sars-Cov-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4182-:d:536613
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johnson, Ginger A. & Vindrola-Padros, Cecilia, 2017. "Rapid qualitative research methods during complex health emergencies: A systematic review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 63-75.
    2. Mercedes Yanes-Lane & Nicholas Winters & Federica Fregonese & Mayara Bastos & Sara Perlman-Arrow & Jonathon R Campbell & Dick Menzies, 2020. "Proportion of asymptomatic infection among COVID-19 positive persons and their transmission potential: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Md Akhtarul Islam & Sutapa Dey Barna & Hasin Raihan & Md Nafiul Alam Khan & Md Tanvir Hossain, 2020. "Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Holly Blake & Jessica Corner & Cecilia Cirelli & Juliet Hassard & Lydia Briggs & Janet M. Daly & Malcolm Bennett & Joseph G. Chappell & Lucy Fairclough & C. Patrick McClure & Alexander Tarr & Patrick , 2020. "Perceptions and Experiences of the University of Nottingham Pilot SARS-CoV-2 Asymptomatic Testing Service: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-28, December.
    5. Gottlieb, Nell H. & Baker, Judith A., 1986. "The relative influence of health beliefs, parental and peer behaviors and exercise program participation on smoking, alcohol use and physical activity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 22(9), pages 915-927, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Holly Blake & Ikra Mahmood & Gonxhe Dushi & Mehmet Yildirim & Elizabeth Gay, 2021. "Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 on Healthcare Trainees and Perceptions towards a Digital Wellbeing Support Package," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-25, October.
    2. Georgios Marinos & Dimitrios Lamprinos & Panagiotis Georgakopoulos & Evangelos Oikonomou & Georgios Zoumpoulis & Nikolaos Garmpis & Anna Garmpi & Eirini Tzalavara & Gerasimos Siasos & Georgios Rachiot, 2022. "Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to Self-Testing Procedure against COVID-19 among Greek Students: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Nikolaos P. Rachaniotis, 2022. "Evaluating the COVID-19 Containment Protocol in Greek Universities for the Academic Year 2021–2022," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Amani Al-Oraibi & Lauren Fothergill & Mehmet Yildirim & Holly Knight & Sophie Carlisle & Mórna O’Connor & Lydia Briggs & Joanne R. Morling & Jessica Corner & Jonathan K. Ball & Chris Denning & Kavita , 2022. "Exploring the Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 Social Restrictions on International University Students: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Yasue Fukuda & Koji Fukuda, 2022. "Educators’ Psychosocial Burdens Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Predictive Factors: A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Relationship with Sense of Coherence and Social Capital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Holly Blake & Alex Brewer & Niki Chouliara, 2023. "“We’re Not Going to Be as Prepared”: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Trainees’ Experiences after One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Peng Wan & Jinsheng Hu & Qi Li, 2023. "Impact of Social Support on Depressive Symptoms among Postgraduates during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    8. repec:thr:techub:10028:y:2022:i:1:p:451-460 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Holly Knight & Sophie Carlisle & Mórna O’Connor & Lydia Briggs & Lauren Fothergill & Amani Al-Oraibi & Mehmet Yildirim & Joanne R. Morling & Jessica Corner & Jonathan Ball & Chris Denning & Kavita Ved, 2021. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Self-Isolation on Students and Staff in Higher Education: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-16, October.
    10. Alberto Bermejo-Franco & Juan Luis Sánchez-Sánchez & María Isabel Gaviña-Barroso & Beatriz Atienza-Carbonell & Vicent Balanzá-Martínez & Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, 2022. "Gender Differences in Psychological Stress Factors of Physical Therapy Degree Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-10, January.
    11. Laura A. Geer & Rachel Radigan & Guilherme de Lima Bruneli & Lucas Sampaio Leite & Rosalie Barreto Belian, 2021. "COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of Healthcare Students’ Perceptions of Life during the Pandemic in the United States and Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, September.
    12. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Ikra Mahmood & Neelam Mahmood & Jessica Corner & Jonathan K. Ball & Chris Denning, 2022. "A Qualitative Evaluation of the Barriers and Enablers for Implementation of an Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Testing Service at the University of Nottingham: A Multi-Site Higher Education Setting in England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-17, October.
    13. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Ikra Mahmood & Neelam Mahmood & Jessica Corner & Jonathan K. Ball & Chris Denning, 2022. "Workforce Experiences of a Rapidly Established SARS-CoV-2 Asymptomatic Testing Service in a Higher Education Setting: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, September.
    14. Gianni Parisi & Véronique Renault & Marie-France Humblet & Nicolas Ochelen & Anh Nguyet Diep & Michèle Guillaume & Anne-Françoise Donneau & Fabrice Bureau & Laurent Gillet & Anne-Catherine Lange & Fab, 2022. "Compliance with Barrier Gestures during COVID-19 Pandemic as a Function of the Context: A Longitudinal Observational Survey at the University of Liège," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.

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