Research Article

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya

Volume: 8 Number: Özel Sayı September 29, 2021
  • Habil Otanga *

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of university students towards COVID-19, and further, some personality characteristics that exacerbate the risk of infection. Out of the 300 university students based in Mombasa, Kenya, targeted in the online study, 219 submitted their filled questionnaires. Data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS (v.25). Two-way ANOVA and regression models were used to analyze the data. Findings show high knowledge levels and low-risk behaviors towards COVID-19 but unhealthy attitudes especially among women aged 20-29 who also reported higher extroversion, and positive attitudes towards social interactions during COVID-19. Basic knowledge was predicted by age, gender, extroversion, public self-consciousness, and high-risk perception while advanced knowledge was predicted by basic knowledge. Low-risk perception was predicted by age, basic knowledge, and positive attitudes towards social interaction during COVID-19. Age, extroversion and risk perception predicted attitudes about social interactions. Preventive practices were in turn predicted by gender, risk perception, attitudes towards social interactions, extroversion and lack of premeditation. Findings of the study raise interest about university students’ KAP, underlying personality dynamics that predict risk taking towards COVID-19, and appropriate COVID-19 messaging to affect attitudes.

Keywords

References

  1. Aldukhayel, A., Alhomidani, R. J. A., Almazyad, N. S., AlHindi, H. A. & Alsudairi, H. A. (2020). Knowledge, attitude and practices associated with COVID-19 among university students: a cross-sectional survey in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 4(10), 1554-1560. https://doi.org/10.24911/IJMDC.51-1597038674
  2. Al-Omiri, M. K., Alzoubi, I. A., Al Nazeh, A. A., Alomiri, A. K., Maswady, M. N., & Lynch, E. (2021). COVID-19 and personality: A cross-sectional multicentre study of the relationship between personality factors and COVID-19-related impacts, concerns and behaviours. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 608730. doi: 10:3389/fpsyt.2021.608730
  3. Alves, R. F., Samorinha, C., & Precioso, J. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviours toward COVID-19: a study among higher education students in Portugal. Journal of Health Research. DOI: 10.1108/JHR-07-2020-0254
  4. Aschwanden, D., Strickhouser, J. E., Sesker, A. A., Lee, J. H., Luchetti, M., Stephan, Y., Sutin, A. R., & Terracciano, A. (2021). Psychological and behavioural responses to Coronavirus disease 2019: The role of personality. European Journal of Personality, 35(1), 51-66. https://doi/org/10.1002/per.2281
  5. Austrian, K., Pinchoff, J., Tidwell, J. B., White, C., Abuya, T., Kangwana, B., Ochako, R., Wanyungu, J., Muluve, E., Mbushi, F., Mwanga, D., Nzioki, M., & Ngo, T. (2020). COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, practices and needs of households in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. [Preprint]. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.260281
  6. Bearak, M. & Ombuor, R. (20 December 2020). Police killed at least 20 Kenyans while enforcing coronavirus rules. Hopes for justice are fading. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/coronavirus-kenya-police-shootings-curfew/2020/12/20/deb81d5a-3efc-11eb-b58b-1623f6267960_story.html
  7. Cyders, M. A., Littlefield, A. K., Coffey, S., & Karyadi, K. A. (2014). Examination of a short version of the UPPS-P impulsive behaviour scale. Addictive Behaviours, 39(9), 1372-1376. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.02.013
  8. Hair, J., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Educational International.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Other Fields of Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

September 29, 2021

Submission Date

May 6, 2021

Acceptance Date

August 29, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 8 Number: Özel Sayı

APA
Otanga, H. (2021). Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 8(Özel Sayı), 153-161. https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX
AMA
1.Otanga H. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya. IJPES. 2021;8(Özel Sayı):153-161. https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX
Chicago
Otanga, Habil. 2021. “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 Among University Students in Kenya”. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies 8 (Özel Sayı): 153-61. https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX.
EndNote
Otanga H (September 1, 2021) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies 8 Özel Sayı 153–161.
IEEE
[1]H. Otanga, “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya”, IJPES, vol. 8, no. Özel Sayı, pp. 153–161, Sept. 2021, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX
ISNAD
Otanga, Habil. “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 Among University Students in Kenya”. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies 8/Özel Sayı (September 1, 2021): 153-161. https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX.
JAMA
1.Otanga H. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya. IJPES. 2021;8:153–161.
MLA
Otanga, Habil. “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 Among University Students in Kenya”. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, vol. 8, no. Özel Sayı, Sept. 2021, pp. 153-61, https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX.
Vancouver
1.Habil Otanga. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and Personality Predictors of Risk Taking towards COVİD-19 among University Students in Kenya. IJPES [Internet]. 2021 Sep. 1;8(Özel Sayı):153-61. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA85WR69TX