The self-perceived psychological, social, academic and personal impact of the covid-19 pandemic on chiropractic students in south africa
1
Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this observational study was to determine the social, personal, psychological, and academic self-perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chiropractic students in South Africa.
METHODS:
This study used a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design. A self-reported, Likert-scale survey of 35 online questions, administered through QuestionPro, was sent to Chiropractic students registered at two South African institutions from November 2022 until January 2023. The responses were anonymous. The survey was validated using a pilot study and focus group.
RESULTS:
A 51.65% (n=97) response rate was recorded. A total of 60.00% (n=113) of respondents expressed discomfort if individuals did not wear masks and 73.40% (n=138) of respondents reported to have experienced conflicts due to prolonged time spent with household members in limited personal space. The respondents also experienced personal self-perceived impacts, such as 69.00% (n=130) reported having reduced productivity, 42.00% (n=79) increased financial difficulties, 50.00% (n=94) decreased physical activity, and 80.85% (n=152) spent more time on social media. Participants self-reported that these challenges had detrimental effects on their mental health. These included increased anxiety (92.02%; n=171), difficulties in thought control (75.50%; n=142), withdrawal from social interactions (80.32%; n=151), decreased motivation (90.96%; n=171), and concentration issues (89.89%; n=169). A portion of the students also reported a decline in academic marks (43.62%; n=82) and practical skills (76.60%; n=144).
CONCLUSIONS:
The majority of Chiropractic student respondents perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted their social and personal functioning, self-reported mental health and overall academic progress.
The purpose of this observational study was to determine the social, personal, psychological, and academic self-perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chiropractic students in South Africa.
METHODS:
This study used a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design. A self-reported, Likert-scale survey of 35 online questions, administered through QuestionPro, was sent to Chiropractic students registered at two South African institutions from November 2022 until January 2023. The responses were anonymous. The survey was validated using a pilot study and focus group.
RESULTS:
A 51.65% (n=97) response rate was recorded. A total of 60.00% (n=113) of respondents expressed discomfort if individuals did not wear masks and 73.40% (n=138) of respondents reported to have experienced conflicts due to prolonged time spent with household members in limited personal space. The respondents also experienced personal self-perceived impacts, such as 69.00% (n=130) reported having reduced productivity, 42.00% (n=79) increased financial difficulties, 50.00% (n=94) decreased physical activity, and 80.85% (n=152) spent more time on social media. Participants self-reported that these challenges had detrimental effects on their mental health. These included increased anxiety (92.02%; n=171), difficulties in thought control (75.50%; n=142), withdrawal from social interactions (80.32%; n=151), decreased motivation (90.96%; n=171), and concentration issues (89.89%; n=169). A portion of the students also reported a decline in academic marks (43.62%; n=82) and practical skills (76.60%; n=144).
CONCLUSIONS:
The majority of Chiropractic student respondents perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted their social and personal functioning, self-reported mental health and overall academic progress.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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