Promoting COVID-19 prevention strategies in student dormitory setting: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To explore the risk perceptions and COVID-19 prevention practices of dormitory residents in Indonesia. Participants: Nineteen dormitory residents, 3 staff and 1 dormitory manager were recruited from the Saint Theresa Avila student dormitory. Methods: This qualitative study used individual interviews and framework analysis. Results: Generally, the study confirms that there is a gap between risk perception and COVID-19 prevention practices among dormitory residents. There are barriers in accessing hand washing facilities and in complying with COVID-19 prevention protocols including not wearing masks, not following quarantine procedures and visiting friends’ rooms. Conclusion: Dormitory managers and staff should repeatedly remind residents to wear masks and maintain safe distance through sending short messages on dormitory social media groups. In addition to psychological assistance and basic supplies during self-quarantine, providing sanitizer and installing posters detailing the hand-washing steps are essential at each hand-washing facility in the dormitory.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• dormitory
• hand washing
• quarantine
• risk perception
• wearing masks

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all participants in Saint Theresa Avilla Dormitory and Soegijapranata Catholic University who facilitated this research. We would also like to acknowledge those who have assisted in improving the quality of this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of Indonesia and received approval from the Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada-Dr. Sardjito General Hospital.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.