Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sars-COV-2 among Students in Private Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 prompted an early and sustained worldwide public health response. Its proclivity for rapid transmission and relatively high fatality rate across global regions prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to proclaim it a global pandemic. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence, and factors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among students in private universities in Rivers State. Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study Aims: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and its associated factors among private university students. Materials and Methods: 431 participants were tested for SARS CoV-2 using GeneXpert Dx System's reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Self-administered questionnaires were also distributed to elicit responses from these participants. Descriptive statistics (percentages and proportions) were used to report findings. Results: A response rate of 96% was recorded (431 correctly completed questionnaires retrieved). Out of the 431 participants tested, 425(98.6%) were negative while 6(1.4%) were positive bringing the prevalence rate to 1.4%. The majority (90.3%) don’t use facemasks when a lecturer is not in class, and 60.6% of the participants indicated inadequate provision for hand washing equipment, and sanitizers in the laboratories for students. Conclusion: This study showed a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among private university students and poor compliance with COVID-19 protocols.