The disparity in knowledge, information sources, and attitude on COVID-19 as a socio-scientific issue among biology students: A case of rohero campus students in Bujumbura

• Main Authors: Niyonsaba, Theophile, Paidi
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Biology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Data collection; Disease transmission; Information sources; Knowledge; Pandemics; Students
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0110816

Public awareness of countries' leaders, control, and adherence to the hygienic measures in managing the magnitude of the corona pandemic is somewhat affected by knowledge, attitude, and information sources of the citizens. Hence, the current study aimed to assess the disparity in knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 at Rohero Campus in Burundi, to determine where they sourced their information and to compare their point of view on the three constructs used (attitude, knowledge, source of information) based on their academic years and study programs. Using validated, structured instruments, the online questionnaire was conducted in March in which 416 (412 Biochemistry and four Biology) students voluntarily participated in data collection. Sociodemographic characteristics and sources of information were also recorded. Students aged 21-25 years (55 %) were the major number of participants. Regarding attitudes, data showed that both groups demonstrated positive attitudes to flatten the curb of spread. Overall, over 85% showed good knowledge about the disease. The main source of their information was the internet and social media over 80% and mass media over 91%. Those in the second year had a higher number of participants and scored higher in every construct used compared to other students from the first, third and fourth year. In conclusion, Biology students at the Rohero campus demonstrated adequate knowledge and possessed good attitudes toward the prevention and spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic.