Measures of Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour towards COVID-19 among Students Using the Library of Nasarawa State University, Keffi – Nigeria

Abstract

In recent human history, very few incidences of pandemics have disrupted social and economic life like what is currently being experienced with COVID-19. No part of the world is spared the effects of this pandemic, just as various efforts are implemented to mitigate and contain it. The foundation of a good preventive measure is an excellent public health information programme. The library plays, and in this case, must play, a major role in information dissemination to show relevance in efforts to beat the pandemic. This study was undertaken to gauge the knowledge levels of library users to the virus and how they are applying that knowledge to prevent infection. A survey of 350 students of Nasarawa State University who used the library of the Nasarawa State University was undertaken to elicit data for the research. A response rate of 68% was attained. Results showed that there was adequate knowledge about the pandemic and positive attitudes towards its prevention. However, the study found out that there is vaccine hesitancy in the population and that information about the pandemic did not come from the use of the library. Even though the study did not investigate their sources of information, it is assumed that it might come from other media outlets like the radio, television, and social media. Some of these channels are susceptible to carrying unverified information. The study recommended that libraries and librarians be more robust about providing information on the pandemic in libraries.