Demographic Influence of Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Protocols in Tertiary Institutions in Zamfara State: Counseling Implications
Published 10/07/2025
Keywords
- Adherence,
- COVID-19 preventive protocols,
- Tertiary institution students,
- Counselling implications,
- Zamfara State
How to Cite
Abstract
This study delves into the demographic influence on adherence to COVID-19 preventive protocols among tertiary institution students in Zamfara State, with a specific focus on the crucial counselling implications. The study employed a survey-based research design, with a sample size of 354 students selected through convenience sampling from tertiary institutions in Zamfara Central Senatorial Zone. Data collection was facilitated using the Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Protocols Questionnaire (APPC-19) with a Cronbach's reliability coefficient of 0.79. The findings reveal statistically significant differences in adherence levels, highlighting the influence of knowledge and other demographic characteristics. The study underscores the necessity for tailored counselling interventions, including educational counselling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, peer counselling, group counseling, regular follow-up, and motivational interviewing, to enhance adherence among students. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of counselling services in promoting adherence to COVID-19 preventive protocols among tertiary institution students. These interventions are pivotal not only in ensuring the well-being of students but also in contributing to the broader public health effort to mitigate the spread of the virus. Collaborative efforts between educational institutions, public health authorities, and counselling professionals are essential for the development and implementation of effective strategies.
References
- Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.
- American Psychological Association (2020). Stress in America™ 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis. [https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/report]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). COVID-19: Everyone Can Make One. [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). How to Protect Yourself & Others. [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html]
- Chang, S., Pierson, E., Koh, P. W., Gerardin, J., Redbird, B., Grusky, D., & Leskovec, J. (2020). Mobility network models of COVID-19 explain inequities and inform reopening. Nature, 589(7840), 82-87.
- Cialdini, R. B., & Trost, M. R. (1998). Social influence: Social norms, conformity, and compliance. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), The Handbook of Social Psychology (4th ed., Vol. 2, pp. 151-192). McGraw-Hill.
- Cullen, W., Gulati, G., & Kelly, B. D. (2020). Mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 113(5), 311-312.
- Dryhurst, S., Schneider, C. R., Kerr, J., Freeman, A. L., Recchia, G., van der Bles, A. M., ... & van der Linden, S. (2020). Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world. Journal of Risk Research, 23(7-8), 994-1006.
- Eshra, A. K., Ghobrial, S., & Gerges, G. E. (2021a). The impact of an educational program on the level of awareness of Covid-19 virus prevention among university students. The Social Sciences, 16(1), 26-31.
- Eshra, D. K., Sobh, E. R. E., & Zayed, M. A. (2021b). Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among University Students. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 1-7.
- Ferretti, L., Wymant, C., Kendall, M., Zhao, L., Nurtay, A., Abeler-Dörner, L., ... & Fraser, C. (2020). Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 transmission suggests epidemic control with digital contact tracing. Science, 368(6491), eabb6936.
- Floyd, D. L., Prentice-Dunn, S., & Rogers, R. W. (2000). A meta-analysis of research on protection motivation theory. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(2), 407-429.
- Harapan, H., Anwar, S., Bustamam, A., Radiansyah, A., Angraini, P., Fasli, R., ... & Imrie, A. (2020a). Willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors: “Vaccination refusal could prolong the war of this pandemic”. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 101, 29-35.
- Harapan, H., Wagner, A. L., Yufika, A., Winardi, W., Anwar, S., Gan, A. K., ... & Imrie, A. (2020b). Factors influencing acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers in Indonesia: A theory-based survey. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 13(9), 1360-1365.
- Harapan, H., Wagner, A. L., Yufika, A., Winardi, W., Anwar, S., Gan, A. K., ... & Imrie, A. (2020c). Acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine in Southeast Asia: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 381.
- Hartley, K., Vu, M. K., & Whibley, L. (2021). Individual differences in susceptibility to false memories for COVID-19 fake news and their relationship to individual differences in news consumption. Cognition, 212, 104647.
- Hawryluck, L., Gold, W. L., Robinson, S., Pogorski, S., Galea, S., & Styra, R. (2004). SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine, Toronto, Canada. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 10(7), 1206-1212.
- Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440.
- Liu, J. J., Bao, Y., Huang, X., Shi, J., Lu, L., & Lu, X. (2020). Mental health considerations for children quarantined because of COVID-19. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(5), 347-349.
- Lundahl, B. W., Tollefson, D., Kunz, C., Brownell, C., & Burke, B. L. (2013). A meta-analysis of motivational interviewing: Twenty-five years of empirical studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 261-273.
- Michie, S., Abraham, C., Whittington, C., McAteer, J., & Gupta, S. (2009). Effective techniques in healthy eating and physical activity interventions: A meta-regression. Health Psychology, 28(6), 690-701.
- Reuben, R. C., Danladi, M. M. A., Saleh, D. A., Ejembi, P. E., & Odeyemi, K. A. (2020). Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study of individuals with self-reported exposure to COVID-19. International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 10(9), 1-10.
- Rogers, R. W. (1975). A protection motivation theory of fear appeals and attitude change. The Journal of Psychology, 91(1), 93-114.
- Rogers, R. W. (1975). A protection motivation theory of fear appeals and attitude change1. The Journal of Psychology, 91(1), 93-114.
- Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). The health belief model and preventive health behavior. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 354-386.
- Shemilt, I., O'Brien, J. M., Thokala, P., Weatherly, H. L. A., & Taylor R. S. (2019). A qualitative study for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence of public health guidance and public health support to the public. British Medical Journal, 3, 1-172.
- Taylor, S., Landry, C. A., Paluszek, M. M., Fergus, T. A., McKay, D., & Asmundson, G. J. (2020). COVID stress syndrome: Concept, structure, and correlates. Depression and Anxiety, 37(8), 706-714.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). COVID-19: How to protect yourself and others. [https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public]
- Yazdanpanah, F., Hamidizadeh, S., & Jahantigh, M. (2021). A Study of Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among College Students. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 1-7.
- Yazdanpanah, Y., Ameri, P., Shabani, S., & Ehsani, S. (2021). Factors associated with COVID-19 preventive behavior and concern. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 14(5), 612-617.
- Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., Ma, X., & Di, Q. (2020). Mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemics and the mitigation effects of exercise: A longitudinal study of college students in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3722.