Examining the views of students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences regarding the implementation of self-care measures against Covid-19

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus is one of the emerging infectious diseases that has posed a severe threat to public health around the world. The World Health Organization has also recommended measures such as hygiene, disinfection, social distancing and quarantine to reduce the prevalence of drugs or vaccines for the disease. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the barriers and facilitators of general self-care of Covid-19 disease from the perspective of students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Methods: The present study represents a qualitative study that was conducted using a semi-structured interview. The statistical population of the study included students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2020. The sampling method was purpose-based and heterogeneous. Inclusion criteria in this study were undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in all faculties of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Information was obtained through an interview guide and 20 semi-structured interviews that were arranged in person or by telephone and online. Data analysis was performed by content analysis method. Findings: In this study, based on the analysis of 20 interviews, seven core themes were identified, including knowledge of self-care measures related to prevention and transmission of Covid-19 and source of information, self-care actions, belief in self-care actions, effectiveness of self-care actions in order of priority, self-care facilitators, barriers to self-care and suggested solutions along with the relevant subgroups. Conclusion: The results of the study show that self-care measures are performed by students of the University of Medical Sciences in order of priority, including masking, vaccination, Social distance, hand washing, environmental disinfection, air conditioning and quarantine in case of symptoms. There are facilitators and barriers to performing these measures that make it easier or more difficult to implement self-care measures. The most important facilitating factors are maintaining one's health and that of the family as one of the social responsibilities. This means that the participants, with their health literacy and knowledge and awareness that the observance of self-care measures leads to the health of themselves and their families, observed more self-care measures. In addition, the most significant obstacles in implementing these measures are fatigue and stress due to the current situation and attending friendly and family sessions. One of the ways to overcome the obstacles is to review some of the university policies, create a culture of people to observe self-care measures and reduce the workload of the medical staff in the hospital. In this regard, health managers and policy makers with proper planning can address these barriers.