Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Learners Towards COVID-19 Guidelines in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
1
PUBLIC HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF VENDA, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
As of 28 March 2022, globally, there have been 480 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 6,1 million deaths reported by the World Health Organization. In Africa alone, more than 8,5 million positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, and many school activities were disrupted. The excellent level of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices of learners towards COVID-19 guidelines play a crucial role in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring safe and healthy learning environments.
OBJECTIVE:
The study aimed to investigate learners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 guidelines at Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.
METHODS:
This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design. Two-stage cluster sampling and systematic sampling were used to select respondents in each sampled school cluster. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire administered to sample respondents. The questionnaire included sections on knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes toward COVID-19 guidelines, and daily practices related to COVID-19 prevention. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0.
RESULTS:
The study found that most secondary school learners possess a good understanding of COVID-19 guidelines, hold positive attitudes towards these guidelines, and exhibit proactive practices towards COVID-19 prevention. The results also depict that television is the leading source of information for learners to hear about COVID-19. Furthermore, learners recognized the similarities between COVID-19 and the flu, and most demonstrated a positive attitude toward the importance of washing hands with soap and water.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study's findings underscore the need for the Department of Basic Education to prioritize the integration of health education in schools, thereby enhancing learners' knowledge base on COVID-19 guidelines and the disease itself. It also stresses the importance of continuous education on hygiene practices and COVID-19 guidelines.
As of 28 March 2022, globally, there have been 480 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 6,1 million deaths reported by the World Health Organization. In Africa alone, more than 8,5 million positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, and many school activities were disrupted. The excellent level of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices of learners towards COVID-19 guidelines play a crucial role in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring safe and healthy learning environments.
OBJECTIVE:
The study aimed to investigate learners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 guidelines at Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.
METHODS:
This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design. Two-stage cluster sampling and systematic sampling were used to select respondents in each sampled school cluster. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire administered to sample respondents. The questionnaire included sections on knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes toward COVID-19 guidelines, and daily practices related to COVID-19 prevention. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0.
RESULTS:
The study found that most secondary school learners possess a good understanding of COVID-19 guidelines, hold positive attitudes towards these guidelines, and exhibit proactive practices towards COVID-19 prevention. The results also depict that television is the leading source of information for learners to hear about COVID-19. Furthermore, learners recognized the similarities between COVID-19 and the flu, and most demonstrated a positive attitude toward the importance of washing hands with soap and water.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study's findings underscore the need for the Department of Basic Education to prioritize the integration of health education in schools, thereby enhancing learners' knowledge base on COVID-19 guidelines and the disease itself. It also stresses the importance of continuous education on hygiene practices and COVID-19 guidelines.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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