Covid-19 Anxiety among Students and Teachers and Compliance to Prevention Protocols in Selected Schools in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined Covid-19 anxiety among students, teachers and compliance to prevention protocols in selected schools in Delta State. Ten null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a correlational research design. The sample size consisted of 381 students and 341 teachers, who were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the instrument were established and adjudged to be adequate. The data obtained were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that there was a significant correlation between Covid-19 anxiety and adherence to preventive Handwash protocol among secondary school students and teachers; that there was a significant correlation between Covid-19 anxiety and adherence to preventive ocial distancing protocol among secondary school students and teachers; that there was a significant correlation between Covid-19 anxiety and adherence to preventive wearing of facemasks protocol among secondary school students and teachers; and that there was a significant correlation between Covid-19 anxiety and adherence to preventive self-isolations protocol among secondary school students and teachers. The study revealed that there was no significant moderating impact of sex on the relationship between Covid-19 anxiety and compliance with preventive measures among secondary school students and students. The study recommended amongst others, that since compliance to preventive protocols was a product of high anxiety, it is recommended that in times of epidemic of this nature, the citizenry must be exposed to cases of infected patients through videos, jingles, film shows, television and social media so as to increase anxiety level and subsequent compliance.