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Blake H, Knight H, Jia R, Corner J, Morling JR, Denning C, Ball JK, Bolton K, Figueredo G, Morris DE, Tighe P, Villalon AM, Ayling K, Vedhara K. Students' Views towards Sars-Cov-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:4182. [PMID: 33920908 PMCID: PMC8071290 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to explore university students' perceptions and experiences of SARS-CoV-2 mass asymptomatic testing, social distancing and self-isolation, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study comprised of four rapid online focus groups conducted at a higher education institution in England, during high alert (tier 2) national COVID-19 restrictions. Participants were purposively sampled university students (n = 25) representing a range of gender, age, living circumstances (on/off campus), and SARS-CoV-2 testing/self-isolation experiences. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Six themes with 16 sub-themes emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data: 'Term-time Experiences', 'Risk Perception and Worry', 'Engagement in Protective Behaviours', 'Openness to Testing', 'Barriers to Testing' and 'General Wellbeing'. Students described feeling safe on campus, believed most of their peers are adherent to protective behaviours and were positive towards asymptomatic testing in university settings. University communications about COVID-19 testing and social behaviours need to be timely and presented in a more inclusive way to reach groups of students who currently feel marginalised. Barriers to engagement with SARS-CoV-2 testing, social distancing and self-isolation were primarily associated with fear of the mental health impacts of self-isolation, including worry about how they will cope, high anxiety, low mood, guilt relating to impact on others and loneliness. Loneliness in students could be mitigated through increased intra-university communications and a focus on establishment of low COVID-risk social activities to help students build and enhance their social support networks. These findings are particularly pertinent in the context of mass asymptomatic testing programmes being implemented in educational settings and high numbers of students being required to self-isolate. Universities need to determine the support needs of students during self-isolation and prepare for the long-term impacts of the pandemic on student mental health and welfare support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Blake
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
| | - Holly Knight
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.K.); (R.J.); (K.A.); (K.V.)
| | - Ru Jia
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.K.); (R.J.); (K.A.); (K.V.)
| | - Jessica Corner
- University Executive Board, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Joanne R. Morling
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.K.); (R.J.); (K.A.); (K.V.)
| | - Chris Denning
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (C.D.); (J.K.B.)
| | - Jonathan K. Ball
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (C.D.); (J.K.B.)
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Kirsty Bolton
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Grazziela Figueredo
- School of Computer Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK;
| | - David E. Morris
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (D.E.M.); (A.M.V.)
| | - Patrick Tighe
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Armando Mendez Villalon
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (D.E.M.); (A.M.V.)
| | - Kieran Ayling
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.K.); (R.J.); (K.A.); (K.V.)
| | - Kavita Vedhara
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.K.); (R.J.); (K.A.); (K.V.)
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