Compliance of Learners and Teachers to COVID-19 Standard Precautions at Selected Rural Secondary Schools of Vhumbedzi Circuit, South Africa

Abstract

COVID-19, as an infectious disease, is transferred from one person to another if standard precautionary measures are not complied with. Obese and older people, as well as those with chronic conditions, are more at risk of contracting this disease and its fatal outcomes. Despite government effort to enforce precautionary measures in every sector and communities, it is not clear whether all people are adhering to these measures. This study was conducted to investigate compliance of learners and teachers with COVID-19 standard precautions at selected rural secondary schools of Vhumbedzi circuit, South Africa. Learners represent every family; therefore, targeting them is like reaching out to families. The study used the descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research method. The target population were all secondary school learners and teachers, from grade eight (8) to grade twelve (12) in Vhumbedzi Circuit. To avoid selection bias, stratified sampling method was used to select learners, whereas total population sampling was used to recruit all teachers from the circuit. Data was collected following an observation checklist from four hundred and sixty-three (463) participants. Validity and reliability of the instrument were strengthened by adapting a standardised checklist from COVID-19 preventive measures in the community, which was developed by the Saudi Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Its reliability correlation coefficient of 0.86. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0. Descriptive statistics was used. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. All (359, 100%) learners and all (n=88, 100%) teachers were complying with hand-sanitizing and temperature checks at the gate. All (359, 100%) learners were not complying with frequent hand washing, whilst all (n=88, 100%) teachers were complying. About 73% (n=262) of learners were non-compliant with wearing of mask at all times, while the majority (n=60, 68.2%) of teachers were compliant with the wearing of masks. In addition, all (n=359, 100%) the learners were non-compliant with using sanitizers when there was no water available at the schools, while all (n=88, 100%) teachers were compliant with this stipulation. Furthermore, all (n=359, 100%) of learners were non-compliant with avoidance of touching the eyes, nose and mouth with their fingers, as well as practicing social distancing in class and during breaks. All (n=359, 100%) the learners were also disinfecting their desktops, while the majority (98.9%, (n=87) of the teachers were not compliant on this stipulation. About 87.2% (n=313) were non-compliant with avoiding the sharing of food with others. The study concluded that there was better compliance with Covid-19 protocols amongst teachers than amongst learners. The study also generally found that there was a lack of evidence of statistical association between Covid 19 adherence and demographic factors, except in limited cases.